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Home , Fleet carrier, HMAS Vampire (D68), HMS Furious (47), HMS Hermes, HMS Hermes (95), Leigh Bishop

HMS HERMES DIVE INTO HISTORY!

The HMS Hermes is one of only 4 diveable Aircraft Carriers around the world. (others are USS Saratoga - Bikini Atoll, USS Pensacola - artificial in the US and the Graf Zepplin - Hitlers only carrier (which didn't see any war time). It also happens to be the Only that was sunk during battle.

The HMS Hermes is not only a fantastic wreck to dive, but also historically significant. Built for the Royal , she was the world's first to be designed and built as an aircraft carrier. We look forward to showing you this great wreck.

TRIP details:

Incl: • 10 days all inclusive package • 6 days diving, 12 dive pack, • All accom 9 nights accom (based on twin share), • airport transfers,

excl: “The Worlds first • O2 - $0.06/litre, Commissioned • Helium - $0.15/litre Aircraft Carrier” • Sorb $15/kg • CCR cylinder rental - $20/day per set

[1! ] HISTORY

1942 WWI battle to counter this assumed that the British fleet must be The war wasn't going too well for threat. on the East Coast at , and the Allied in 1942. , Under no illusion, Sommerville ordered an attack. Warned of the The Dutch East Indies and the knew that The British carrier aircraft impeding attack by a patrolling had all fallen. Every major were no match for the Japanese Catalina, the last two major , Allied in the South China Sea Zero’s, Kate’s and Val’s. He was at HMS Hermes, a light Fleet Carrier and Java Sea had been sunk or chased risk of becoming the first British and HMAS Vampire her away. Admiral in a hundred years to loose escort raced south in a an attempt to escape the approaching storm. The Japanese, with increased an entire fleet. confidence after destroying the As the Japanese approach Ceylon American Pacific Fleet in Pearl () he wisely Harbour, Kido Butai, the Imperial removed the fleet to a Japanese Navy’s First Carrier Air fleet secret anchorage in the has swept into the Indian Ocean. . The Japanese, They had destroyed Darwin, found harbour massacred the ships fleeing Java and empty so took out their now in the Bay of Bengal had sunk aggression on two 113,000 tons of British shipping, British heavy preventing the resupply of British racing to join forces in Burma. Sommerville to the Admiral Sommerville had been south. sent out with the hastily prepared In 15 minutes, both “Eastern Fleet” comprising of two are sunk and 1000 men are in the modern fleet carriers and four old water. The Japanese Admiral Nagumo

HMAS Vampire

[2! ] WORLDS FIRST AIRCRAFT CARRIER In 1918, with the war in Europe reaching its climax, the was at its peak. Early experiments with the conversion of the Battle- HMS Furious to an aircraft carrier had demonstrated the potential of aircraft at sea, but it was clear that a better was needed. It was decided to build a small carrier from the ground up. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted (the first time ever on a warship) and these resulted in the now standard configuration of an island superstructure to starboard and the enclosed bow and hanger arrangements. The stern was left open to allow for the launching and retrieving of float planes. Laid down in 1918, launched in 1919, her completion was delayed until 1923 due to post war economics. Ship: Aircraft Carrier Launched: 11 Sept 1919 While Hermes was small even at the time (12.500 tons and 598 ft length), the small aircraft of the period she meant that : 13,700 ton she was more than adequate and was deemed a success. Length: 183m (600ft) However, by the late 1930’s her 26 knt top speed was not Beam: 21m (70ft) considered adequate and her size too small to operate modern Draught: 7m (23ft) fighters or a decent sized strike . WW2 and the advent of Propulsion: 2 shafts the escort carrier would prove the utility and value of ships of this size but by then it would be too late. 2 geared steam turbines Compliment: 566 crew (excl pilots) Hermes takes a lot of hits Armament: 6 x 5.5” guns 4 x 4” AA guns On April 9th 1942, the Japanese arrived over Trincomalee to find the harbour empty. After decimating the local fighters sent to intercept them, they attacked the port facilities. To their surprise, while returning to their carriers one of the scouts spotted a small carrier and its escort some 70 miles to the south off Batticaloa. Negombo immediately launched a strike of 85 Dive Bombers and 9 Mitsubishi Zero Fighters. Shortly after 10am these aircraft were spotted by Hermes, now steaming back towards Trincomalee in the hope of fighter protection, not realising that it had already been largely destroyed. In what was to be one of the most accurate bombing attacks of the war the crack Japanese aviators plummeted down on the helpless carrier scoring some 40 direct hits in 10 minutes. It didn't take long for the Hermes to roll over to port and her bow slid beneath the waves. 302 officers and men drowned even after Captain Onslow gave the order to abandon ship. The Japanese turned their attention to HMAS Vampire. Three hits later, she too joined Hermes on the bottom of the Bay of Bengal.

Japanese Aichi D3A Dive Bombers

[3! ] Where are we staying? DEEP SEA We will be staying at the Deep DIVE RESORT Sea Resort. Located on the sheltered waters of the estuary in Batticaloa. The Resort is a new construction hosting accommodation for 12 guests. All double rooms, with ensuite and Air-con. Simple, clean and comfortable. There is a large pool to cool off after a long dive! Whats Included

A Sample Itinerary: ✓ Airport transfers and main Day 0 - Fly into Colombo, stay the transfers to the Deep Sea Resort night in Hotel just out of return Colombo in Negombo ✓ Accommodation (based on Day 1 - Drive across the country to twin share) in Negombo both Batticaloa to the resort ways ( Sightseeing on the way) ✓ Accommodation (based on Day 2-7 — 6 days diving HERMES twin share) at the Deep Sea Day 8 - Drive Back to Colombo and Resort stay the night in Negombo ✓ All diving (sightseeing day also) ✓ Twin Tank hire and Air fills Day 9 - Fly out

The above itinerary is just a sample of Whats NOT Included? what can happen. There are more wrecks round the area so if people want something different then we can ✓ Food Drinks arrange a day or so of diving other ✓ O2 fills $0.06c/litre wrecks ✓ Helium $0.15c/litre There is also Wifii in the resort for ✓ keeping on contact with the rest of tank hire $20/day the world! per set of tanks. ✓ Electricity is all 240v and all plugs Sorb @ $15/kg have international converters with ✓ Food and Drinks them. Might be a good idea to bring a multibox with you.

[4! ] The HMS Hermes wreck is protected cuts, etc etc. This will cover most what we do is deploy Deco Marker by law so the only thing you can take basic emergencies but obviously buoys and drift deco in your boat - is memories! If you take anything there are limitations to what we can teams. Each boat has a max number else you will be prosecuted and do. We would strongly recommend of 4 divers, and this boat will follow believe me the Sri Lankan Prisons cold and flu tablets and ear their team. aren't the best! medication (swimmers ear is very common). Once you sign up for the Safety in the Water What are the risks on a trip trip we will send you a comprehensive medical brief to help Seeing that we are going to be like this? assist you in preparing yourself for drifting in the Bay of Bengal for over Sri Lanka is a developing world and the trip. an hour or more, we have made it has played host to civil war for many mandatory for you to have at least a decades. So keep an open mind as Dive Medical Insurance Nautilus lifeline. Most people to how things get done in Sri Lanka. DAN insurance is MANDATORY! suppliment these with EPIRBS or Please make sure that the policy PLB’s. This is for your own safety. A lot of the diving that is being done covers your deepest depths you are You dont want to be drifting in those is extended diving going to be diving. We also strongly waters for days waiting to be found, and it if for this reason why we bring recommend travel insurance. You as there is little sea traffic! a Hyperbaric Physician with us on all would be really lost without it. You will also need an Orange deco our trips. marker buoy and also a Yellow one. If you are not familiar with the DAN This is for emergency procedures in insurance check out their site case you need gas from the boat. So with this in 4”mind Gun you really need www.diversalertnetwork.org to pay special attention to looking Each boat will carry an additional after yourself. If you are in question The medical personnel we bring with 50% mix. If you deploy your yellow about your health or have special us are all acting in a “Samaritan” role marker buoy the boat will clip a needs, you need to talk to your so it will be totally your decision to 50%mix onto your line and it will drift physician very carefully. get treated onsite or we can arrange down to you. for an evacuation if you are not happy with being treated in Sri Lanka. Drift deco isnt always boring! Keep There is a recompression chamber in an eye out in the crystal clear waters the local hospital a few hours drive We are all out for a great, safe time for Blue Whales!! the oceans largest from the resort. It is assumed that and as long as people don't abuse creatures. everyone is fit medically. The RSTC safe diving practices and the rules medical form attached to your set forth for such trips we will have a booking form will be a great indicator great time. as to whether you need to be checked by a diving physician. How many dives will we do? It IS your health and safety that we focus most on. Our Emergency & We will be diving for 6 days whilst in Hyperbaric Physician on the trip will Sri Lanka. Most of these dives will be be there to offer assistance for all conducted on the HMS Hermes diving and non diving related medical doing two dives a day. There may be emergencies. The medical facilities opportunity to dive other wrecks in are very limited so please take this the area. into account before doing something crazy!. Please understand that when Nautilus Lifeline we mean limited it really is Basic. Diving Conditions So I would recommend that you bring Most of the time there is quite a any personal medicines you require . significant amount of on the We have an extensive emergency surface and for the first 35meters. medical kit for basic medical needs After that the current drops off. Entering the water needs to be done effectively and if you mess around at the surface you will drift away in a Safety is our Highest second. So you will need to be priority! proficient and confident in diving in This goes without saying. On all L4R current. Trips we have medical personnel onboard along with an extensive emergency medical kit if there is no EMS available. Drift Deco When we come off the wreck it would be very difficult to hold onto the line personal locator beacon for all your deco in strong current. So

[5! ] ] Dive Equipment Your trip fees include the use of 2 x tanks (11.6l ali) for bottom and deco gas, belt and if you need them. We have also provided breather tanks (this is at a surcharge of us$20 a day for 2 breather tanks = us$120 for the trip). We have 80 deco stage clip set ups so no need to bring your own. You more than enough stage deco tanks, all of which are AL80. All have stage rigging. You are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Exposure protection It is our recommendation that you bring a FULL length suit. 5mm is recommended as water range from 24-28 degrees C. You will need the full length suit for scratch and abrasion protection.

Language Everyone speaks English but if you learn a few local phrases, you'll probably get a big smile in return! Climate Everyone wants to go at the “best time”. But these days everything is changing so much. This is what to expect on a tropical dive holiday. Expect blistering, hot, oily calm days. But you will also experience rain squalls and windy choppy conditions. In short, its the tropics! A good recommendation would be to bring a light waterproof jacket - and plenty of sunblock! Currency The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee. On average the conversion rate is $1us : 135 rupees ( good luck with trying to figure that out in your head!). Major credit cards and travellers checks are also widely accepted. There is a bank in Batticaloa. All the monies due for the trip whilst at the Deep Sea Resort can all be paid by credit card at the end of the trip.

Water Temp ranging from 24-28ºC

[6! ] What to wear Airport Departure Fees Dress is casual, shorts and t-shirts Correct at the time of press the are widely acceptable on the resort departure fees were included in the grounds and of course on the dive flight tickets. Please note that this boats! may change without notice. What to bring In this tropical climate, you will want Last Note from Pete protection from the sun - sunscreen I hope that I have answered most of and hats. The sun can be punishing your questions but if you have any at times. The resort provides towels other queries about this trip please for diving too. don't hesitate to contact us. Vaccines and Medicines Please check out this site Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ destinations/traveler/none/sri-lanka If you are in need of advise please consult your physician.

[7! ] About Lust4Rust & Experience in the Diving Shock&Awe Big Animal Diving Industry Pete Mesley is the driving force behind Lust4Rust and Shock&Awe Pete's passion for diving started in Big Animal Diving. the cold English waters over 25 years ago. This is where his "Lust for Rust" “I started specializing in rebreather was created and from then onwards and trips about 15 he has dedicated himself to years ago, shortly after I went on a researching, finding, diving, diving holiday with my breather and photographing and leading couldn't get any assistance or expeditions to meccas! support from the dive operator. On With over 5000 + hours in-water top of that, dive times were limited to experience spanning over 22 different Port Kembla, WWI wreck 30-50min and the person that I was countries, Pete has made diving a full found in 2006 paired up with had done 10 dives in 4 time occupation. years. This was not the way I had wanted to spend my diving holiday! Originally from Zimbabwe Pete So I did something about it - and married a Kiwi girl and moved to NZ started Lust4Rust and Shock&Awe in 1994. As well as being a PADI Big Animal Diving. Course Director, Pete is a PADI Tech CCR Trainer. Pete is So ever since then I have been one of the Southern Hemisphere's focusing on producing quality dive most experienced Technical divers trips globally, focusing on taking and Instructors. experienced divers to some of the best dive locations on the planet! We An accomplished photographer, Pete have a massive inventory of support has an appetite for finding new equipment in many locations (Truk places, new wrecks and Oztek award 2013 presented by Lagoon, Bikini Atoll etc etc), documenting them for others to enjoy. friend and frequent doctor on Rebreather tanks, deco tanks, L4R trips boosters, Helium, Sorb, Manifolded Pete has also been the first to find twins etc. All to reduce the hassles of and dive WWI & II wrecks in NZ transporting them to your L4R diving waters. destination. 2013 Oztek Technical Diving Conference in Sydney Australia for Safety is of the utmost importance so "Exceptional Contributions to the on all our specialized trips we take a Growth and Development of diving physician and a Technical Diving" comprehensive medic kit, for Member of the coveted explorers everyones piece of mind. club.

Nat Geo Britannic Expedition 2009

Leigh Bishop, a Truk Lagoon L4R Veteran!

[8! ]