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SS
THORFINN
Truk
Lagoon & The Islands of Micronesia
Spectacular
remains of nearly 70 coral draped Japanese ships and countless
aircraft were condemned to watery graves by U.S. Naval air
attacks during  "Operation Hailstone" late in World War II. Now
lying scattered upon the floor of Truk's huge 40 mile diameter
tropic lagoon, they are easily accessible to all sport divers
seeking maximum attractions.
'THORFINN' began diving Micronesia 21years ago, with Truk
as a terminus for outer island cruises. Truk's sheltered lagoon
with the world's finest shipwreck diving led this choice.
Warm, relatively clear, current free waters of this great
ocean lake provide comfortable diving for novice to expert.
Captain and dive crew have long lived the wrecks and documented
their configurations in a published sketch book. Much historic
detail and information will be related at tableside conversations
during your visit.
Welcome aboard Truk Lagoon's SS Thorfinn, one of the world's
largest and most seaworthy live aboard dive cruisers. A superbly
equipped ship well suited to diving adventures at Truk Lagoon
and exploring on Pan Micronesian 'Voyages of Discovery'.
Explore massive remarkably intact hulks providing the finest
collection of wreck sites in the world. Sunken bounties of
bombs, torpedoes, guns, tanks,  planes, mines, trucks, bulldozers,
and huge cannon shells rest in ghostly silence on Truk's floor.
Draped with brilliant soft corals and colorful tropic fish,
they recall a moment in time to long be remembered.
Living above the wrecks within minutes of most popular sites,
diving is conducted from four 24 ft twin-engined tenders transporting
no more than 6 divers and their crew to each dive site. Six
diver maximums assure an uncrowded , silt free wreck with
most artifacts still in place 56 years after the battle. Five
different daily dive sites afford maximum selections and viewing
of these corals encrusted wartime relics. Only 'THORFINN'
provides each diver the opportunity to explore up to 30 different
wrecks in 6 days of a regular week.
Beyond Truk, the isolated beauty and traditions of Oceania
await the truly discriminate diving connoisseur. 'THORFINN'
departs each mid-year on a series of spell binding ocean tours
with overnight crossings between outer island Paradises. Virgin
unvisited reefs, sparkling atolls with a gentle and beautiful
people will thrill divers seeking the absolute maximum in
world dive cruising.
 THORFINN offers big ship ambience
and solid comforts for 22 guests and provides the following
features:
- Ship
Specifications - 170 ft (58m) length, 1,100 tons assures
stable comforts.
- Entertainment
Center - located on 'C' deck, is popular at all hours with
huge ocean aquarium, bar, multi system TV monitor, video
players, big video library, 4 channel CD sound system on
6 speakers, slide tables, slide projector / screen.
- Guest
Quarters - Eleven tasteful rooms with every amenity accommodate
22 persons in double occupancy. Vanities, multi system TV/VCR's,
indirect lighting, full length closets, queen sized beds
with adjacent singles, bright carpeting with modern decors,
and private facilities in most quarters.
- Dining
Lounges - Two separate lounges seating everyone with adjacent
modern galley satisfying most food desires.
- Dive
Facilities - Two dive service areas eliminate congestion,
providing each six person group with convenient valet systems
of gear handling. Rinse tanks, deck showers, fresh towels
and gear bins add to this facility.
- Dive
Launches - Four 24 ft twin engined, fast and stable boats
quickly transport 6 person groups to wide and diverse choices
of dive sites.
- Dive
System - A proven, time tested method of diving all of Truk's
intriguing wrecks and outer island reefs provide diver maximums
with an impeccable safety record.
 Technical Diving - Technical
divers receive any blend of Nitrox desired, from on board
blending stations.
- Photo
Facilities - Two convenient camera service tables adjacent
to 'C' deck lounge are supplemented with dive deck transit
racks, E6 processing, videocam rentals, and valet system
of transfers to boats, rinsing, and return of units to tables.
- Sun
Deck - Carpeted area on 'B' deck with lounge chairs, partial
canopy, and cooling breezes.
- Spa
Deck - Large commercial 12 person ocean spa on 'C' deck
with adjacent seating.
- Engine
/ Boiler Room - View the largest live aboard engine room
in existence, and marvel at massive steam machinery quietly
propelling this rugged ship at speeds up to 17 knots. Machinery
buffs and the uninitiated alike will be equally impressed
with these below deck sights.
THORFINN'S Dive Deck Features
- Two
separate dive stations port and starboard, avoid crowding
with 6 divers per departure.
- Four
custom rinse tanks for equipment and cameras
- Two
fresh water showers with adjacent fresh towels
- Two
custom boarding ladders
- Two
overhead intransit camera racks
 Valet system of personal gear
setup, breakdown, and after dive stowage, by your boat crew.
- Complimentary
mesh bags for your active gear
- Personal
gear bag stowage bins
- Two
filling / mixing stations with in/water fills guarantee
min. 3,000 psi ( 200 bar ) to 80 cu ft tks
- Nitrox
blends for certified Nitrox divers at final ascent stops
- Seats
with weights, belts, towels, inside
- Camera
valet transport from tables to boats, rinsing, and redelivery
to tables post dive.
- Easy
low level access to / from dive launches
- Dive
training / Certifications available
- Ten
local dive staff assure good service with expert guide for
each 6 person group
- Lifting
derricks for each boat's onboard stowage, assure quick,
positive maintenance
Dive
System
- Thorfinn
does not attach to the sunken fleet, to avoid destruction
of corals and fragile structures of battle damaged monuments.
This ship moors to
 sand bottom besides the sites and employs sturdy and
safe tender boats for diving purposes.
- Dive
groups arranged with maximum 6 divers per launch
- Four
fast 24 ft. dive launches assure uncrowded silt free diving
to four different simultaneous wrecks
- Dive
in compliance with Truk State Laws with accompanying licensed
& experienced local guides taking you through each wreck
site carefully and safely.
- Valet
system in boats for personal gear to each diver, and stowage
post dive
- Unrestricted
depth air dives on computer non deco basis, with 3 plateau
15 minute ascent guidelines
- In/water
gear removal and stowage by staff, assures easy boarding
ladder access
- Central
point ship anchorages with satellite dive launch system
provide avg.10 min. rides to sites.
- Hang
tanks at 15 ft each dive, and extra air tank for contingencies
on deeper dives
- Wreck
penetrations on buddy principle with cautionary instructions
Photo Facilities
Seaward Holidays Micronesia, Inc.
P.O. Box 1086, Weno, Chuuk State, FM 96942
Phone: (691) 330-3040
Fax: (691) 330-4253
Ship's Phone: (691) 330-4302
Seaward@mail.fm
http://www.thorfinn.net
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