Trip

On July 3,2005 an incredible 9-day adventure began in the South Pacific where 16 African-Americans “from all walks of life” have bonded together to scuba dive the Ghost Fleet of the WWII Japanese Imperial Navy at Truk Lagoon Micronesia.  Our group was led by PADI Dive Master Dean M. Carroll, with over 20 Years of diving experience.  In 2002, Dean was named Diver of the year by the National Association of Black Scuba Divers, NABS & The Atlantic Rangers Scuba Club of Philadelphia, PA.  Dean a graduate of Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, OH was born and raised on the streets of Harlem, NY.  Dean has used his street smarts and world travel expertise to assemble a unique group of 6-African-American women and 10 African American men, of all diving abilities.  Most divers are members of NABS and/or their local African-American Diving Clubs.  Embarking on this adventure are members from:

On July 7,2005 four African American women became one of the first organized groups of African American women to dive on the World Famous WW-2 wreck of the Japanese Navy, The San Francisco Maru. 

The Leading Ladies: 

Brenda Berliner - New Jersey - NABS Officer

Melvina Edwards – Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Underwater Explorers

Tara Gauthier - New Orleans LA - New Orleans Bon Temps Divers

Adrienne McAdory – Washington, DC - Underwater Adventure Seekers

The San Francisco Maru sits in over 200 feet of water.  Three Japanese Army tanks are located on the main deck at 165 feet.  The deck guns, who many feel is the most spectacular in Truk Lagoon, are mounted on a huge motorized swivel.  Cargo Hold  #1 is filled with rows of mines and detonators, still hot after 60 years at the bottom of Truk Lagoon.

Truk also known as Chuuk Lagoon is one of the world’s undersea phenomena.  The giant lagoon is almost 40 miles in diameter and reaches depths of 300ft.  Aside from sheer beauty of the undersea coral reef beneath the crystal clear water, the bottom of Truk Lagoon is the final tomb for more then 60 submerged World War II warships, freighters, tankers, submarines and aircraft from the Japanese Imperial Navy’s 4^th Fleet.  These WWII battle wrecks, courtesy of US Navy’s 6th Fleet called Operation Hailstone, are covered with lush growths of hard and soft corals teeming with numerous varieties of fish life.  There are full artifacts from the Japanese Navy, Army and Air Force, including 18 inch naval artillery ordnance destined for the battleships Yamato and Musashi; plus tanks, Zero Fighter Aircraft, staff cars, trucks & other supplies. Divers will also experience the Nippo’s Wheelhouse, the operating rooms of the Shinkoku or the holds of the Sankisan filled with ammunition and battle gear.  At mid-week, the Odyssey will steam out to the outer reefs to experience some of Truk’s finest (and virtually untouched) reef and wall diving.

For more adventure information or

media opportunities please contact:

Dean M. Carroll

917-837-8639

HarlemDiver157@AOL.COM

(Jellyfish were everywhere!!)