Decaying WWII Wrecks Threaten Coral Reefs

Thousands of sunken ships from WWII are rusting on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, many still loaded with fuel. Earthquakes, storm surges, eruptions, or other natural disasters could trigger an environmental catastrophe if oil or aviation fuel gets released.

There was an incident last November when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked the Solomon Islands. Oil soon lapped on Guadalcanal's northwestern shore in an area known as Iron Bottom Sound. Here lie 1,450 airplanes lost in action, together with 111 ships, averaging 2000 feet deep. The region is littered with lost ships, and years of decay are weakening fuel tanks and hulls, potentially releasing thousands of gallons of oil and other pollutants into the sea, damaging reefs.

As long as 25 years ago, authorities in the Solomons had suggested only divers using closed-circuit rebreathers should enter the wrecks because the air exhaled by open-circuit scuba divers stimulated the production of rust and furthered decay. The idea was never enforced.

Released oil can damage the coral reefs on which Pacific islands economically depend. Chuuk, the Marshall Islands (site of the fleet sunk at Bikini Atoll), and the Solomon islands have the highest number of problem wrecks, followed by Palau and Papua New Guinea, all popular destinations with divers.

The threat was highlighted in 2001 when a severe storm disturbed the remains of the USS Mississinewa 130 feet below the surface in Ulithi Atoll, 400 miles southwest of Guam. There, 24,000 gallons of oil escaped into the water before the wreck could be located and the damaged tanks plugged.

As a diver, you may lust for rust, but bear in mind that these WWII wrecks will not be there forever. As they deteriorate, they threaten the reefs that other divers may prefer to visit.