HTMS Kut.
The Kood began service as LSM-333 in the U.S. Navy. It was
transferred to the Thai Navy in October 1946 where it was
rebranded the LS1-1 and named after Koh Kut, an island of
Thai city of Trat.
It is a sister ship of the HTMS Khram
(also named for an island), which was sunk off Koh Phai in
February 2003. The Khram, now a thriving artificial reef,
is Pattaya's most-popular dive site, a title it may not
have once coral and marine life start calling the Kood home.
The ship was scuttled about 340 meters off the northeast tip of
Koh Sak. bottom of the wreck lies at 31.5m,the deck at 26m and the
top of the conning tower at 12m. Thus, the bulk of the vessel will
only be accessible to those with an advanced ore higher
certification. NITROX is a ferry good option...
On Sept 16, 2006 Thai authorities sunk the third Pattaya
scuba diving shipwreck (this is without counting the SS Bremen).
This new ship is the sister ship of the HTMS Khram Vessel,
sunken as an artificial reef in February 2003, and which
became Pattaya's most amazing dive site.
The ship went down about 350 meters off the northeast tip
of Koh Sak and lies in 31 meters of Water, deck at 26 meters
and top of the conning tower at 12 meters.
This makes a
great site for enriched air or Rebreather dives as bottom
time on air is quite short at these depth.
Even though it is the sister ship of the HTMS Khram, it
is a much more challenging dive site. Less extra holes were
cut in the decks and the inside of the ship wasn't cleaned
as much as on the Khram.
Some more holes were cut under
the decks in between the different rooms which make it
possible to visit the whole ship without ascending on
the deck a single time. This make the wreck the most
challenging wreck dive around Pattaya and an ideal
training ship for the advanced technical wreck courses.
The Ship's History. The HTMS Kood started her service as
LSM-333 in the U.S. Navy, operating as a World War II U.S.
landing ship. She was transferred to the Thai Navy in October
1946 after its decommission from the US Navy and was renamed
HTMS Kood, and then used for spare parts by Thai Navy since
early 90s until finally designed to be used as an artificial
reef and sunken in honor of his Majesty the King.
Detailed Specification. source of information Navsource Online.
LSM-1 Class Landing Ship Medium:
Laid down, 13 July 1944, at Pullman Standard Car
Manufacturing Company, Chicago, IL.
Launched: (date unknown).
Commissioned USS LSM-333, 25 November 1944, LT. William
Russell Schulhof, USNR in command. During World War II LSM-333
was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated
in the Okinawa Gunto operation; (a) Assault and occupation
of Okinawa Gunto, 28 April to 18 May 1945 Decommissioned,
28 July 1946 Struck From the Naval Register (date unknown).
Transferred in October 1946, to Thailand and named HTMS Kood
(LSM-1). Decommissioned by Thai Navy, currently moored at the
Amphibious Headquarters Final Disposition, to be sunk as a
target, date unknown struck from the Royal Thai Navy List
in 1990. Retained for use as spare parts in Royal Thai Navy
LSM-333 received one battle star for World War II service.
Contact Information.
Neptune Dive Center. 312/12 Pattaya 3rd Road, Pattaya, 20150, Chonburi, Thailand.
Tel: 038-720603 Fax: 038-720608
Mobile: English, Nederlands,
Deutsch. 086-1532636
Mobile: Thai 081-1509562
Email:
scuba@tttmaxnet.com
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