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Chikuzen wreck
Virgin Islands (British)
Max Depth: 71-80ft/22-24m
Average Viz: 91-100ft/28-30m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Big Animals
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Spring: 81-85°F/27-29°C
Summer: 81-85°F/27-29°C
Fall: 81-85°F/27-29°C
Winter: 81-85°F/27-29°C
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The Chikuzen was a refrigerator vessel from Korea that was based in St Maarten and was there to service the Japanese fishing fleets. Another hurricane came thru in 1981 and since the ship was decrepit, the owners thought it was a good way to scuttle it and get rid of the old junk pile. So they set it on fire and let it go adrift! Unfortunately, she floated towards the Marina Cay area and fearing the safety of both people and the boats, they called in help from neighboring islands to tow it out to sea. The flaming vessel was towed awhile before the line broke. It finally sunk 7 miles off Tortola to the northwest. The ship wreck is too far for landbased dive operators to visit, but the Cuan Law can visit it regularly. She rests in 75 feet of water far from any reef and attracts a great variety of pelagic and reef fish. Her starboard rail reaches to 50 feet and can be entered through open hatches.