MV Truk Master

Built of steel, the 34m long Truk Master plies the remote waters of Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia. The liveaboard operates diving safaris of 7-10 nights to explore the best of the 60 wrecks that sank here during World War 2 in the ´Operation Hailstone’ attack on the heavily fortified Japanese naval base. There are cargo vessels, airplanes and a submarine, tightly packed into a coral reef lagoon. There is an astounding amount of artefacts and equipment such as trucks, tanks, guns, torpedo shells, gas masks and ammunition.

The Truk Master can accommodate 16 guests in 2-share cabins, all of which have private bathrooms and individual air conditioning units. The social areas are on the middle and upper decks, comprising of an indoor dining area, a lounge bar, a lounge with comfortable sofa seating and plasma screen, a shaded outdoor area, and a sundeck. There is also a flybridge from where you can enjoy the stunning views of Truk Lagoon.

The vessel is set up for both technical diving and rebreathers, and the crew are well trained for this purpose. Dives are conducted from 2 motorised tenders, and the vessel utilises a deco-bar for off-gassing. For guest safety, there is a defibrilator onboard. Dive equipment is set up and stored on the dive deck on the middle deck. All divers are allocated a personal station, with storage for masks, fins and other personal items. A central camera table can be used to store prepared equipment ahead of the dive, with dedicated rinse tanks provided. There is also a camera preparation room with storage drawers. Divers can take advantage of the on deck shower hoses or use the starboard deck head to rinse off between dives.

Dive experience: Advanced certification and 50 logged dives are recommended for safaris in Truk Lagoon. While most of the wrecks in Chuuk are within recreational diver limits, it would be highly recommended to be qualified to dive to at least 40m and to have experience of wreck penetration.

Cruise price per person includes: Local hotel/airport transfers to-from the boat, cabin accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinking water, hot drinks, soft drinks, dives (as detailed in the trips above), 2 experienced dive guides, tanks, weights and weightbelts.

Cruise price per person excludes (mandatory, unless customer provides own): Scuba equipment rental (US$ 175 per week), diving computer (US$ 10 per day), port and park fees (7 nights - US$ 195, 10 nights - US$ 250), diving and evacuation insurance. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival (cash or credit card).

Optional extras: Alcoholic drinks, nitrox fills for enriched air certified divers (US$ 100 per week), torch (US$ 10 per day), 13.2 litre tank (US$ 6 per day), underwater scooter. Unless otherwise stated, all the listed items need to be paid on arrival.

How to get there: The Truk Master uses a port on Weno Island, approximately 1 hour drive from Chuuk International Airport (TKK). Most flights arrive via Guam (which has USA immigration regulations) from Hong Kong, Manila, Incheon or Tokyo with United Airlines. You can also arrive from Honolulu via the Marshall Islands with United Airlines, or via Port Moresby with Air Nuigini fom Kuala Lumpur, Incheon, Manila, Singapore, Narita or Australia.
Transfers are provided from local hotels/airport. Boarding time on the first day is at 2 pm, but the boat usually remains close to its mooring for the entire first day. The boat returns to its mooring on the penultimate day and disembarkation is at 7 am on the last day. There will be 2 planned dives scheduled on the last full day of the trip. Please wait at least 18 hours before flying after diving.

Diving Environment: Truk Lagoon is a world-class wreck diving destination with over 60 wrecks, from supply vessels to planes and a submarine, tightly packed into a coral reef lagoon. The Japanese used Truk as one of their main staging points for attacks on the allied forces during World War 2 but in 1944 the American led Operation Hailstone surprised the fleet resulting in the huge number of wrecks that rest there today.
Many historical artefacts as well as war equipment, including aircraft wings for the Zero Fighter planes, tanks, trucks, guns, torpedo shells, gas masks and ammunition, can still be found while exploring the holds and engine rooms at many of the sites. The wrecks are encrusted with a wide variety of corals, and the lagoon itself is surrounded by a coral reef with many vibrant coral pinnacles, and deep channels where reef sharks roam and pelagics often appear.
Water temperature is typically 82-86°F (28-30°C.

Non-diver rate: 10% discount on published prices.

Single supplement (if you do not want to share accommodation): This is optional - single travelers may choose to share a cabin or pay a supplement of 80% of the normal published price for their own cabin.

Dive clubs and group discounts: Pay for 7 guests and 1 additional person can join free of charge in the lowest priced cabin (total 8+ guests).

Whole boat charter rate (per night): Pay for 14 guests and 2 additional persons can join free of charge in the lowest priced cabin.

There are 8 cabins onboard, all with private bathrooms. 1 double bed Superior cabin is located on the upper deck, 4 Premium twin bed cabins on the main deck, and 3 Classic twin bed cabins on the lower deck.

All the cabins have: No. of bathrooms / showers - 9 / 11 - hot water