7 Skies Wreck

DiveRACE presents a description of 7 skies wreck, a bit of history and tips on how to dive the famous location.

Short Write Up

One of the world’s first real supertankers, the 98000 ton, 262 meter long 1965 Swedish-built Seven Skies is another classic Asian dive site. In 1969, she suffered an explosion and sank east of Tioman Island, not far from Anambas Islands (Indonesia). She rests perfectly upright in 64 meters of water and the entire superstructure is intact, but tanker section has collapsed. As you descend, you will find the top of the funnel at about 20 meters, the bridge and superstructure at 33 meters, and then various decks and structures to explore down to the main deck level at 45 meters.

Main attractions include the bridge, the pool, the explosion damage and many easy swim-through and penetrations. Visibility is usually very good up 15 meters and can be up to 30 meters. Almost the entire superstructure is accessible by recreational divers (Funnel and top deck) and the deeper parts inside and outside the hull there is plenty to explore for technical divers as well. Also, some divers (not advisable without experience) like to dive at the bow area too.

Divers should follow the structure closely in bad visibility and note where the attached stern line always is. Also, a safety tank is always hung at 5m so that divers can use if they are low on air and still need to do their safety stop.

Things to see there

Hundreds (maybe even a thousand) of spadefish / batfish and huge schools of rainbow runners are a standard sight at the location. If divers are lucky, they get to see eagle rays, manta rays and even whale sharks!

The batfishes are not shy at all and usually will follow divers closely and even within touching distance.

Do note that there are scorpion fishes around the structure, thus, please look properly before grabbing on to anything. In fact, the best is not to grab anything!

Best times to dive

Definitely April or October when the monsoon season is ending or approaching and the surface is flat and calm. This is also the period whereby there is a higher chance of sighting manta rays and whale sharks. Visibility is also at its best.

Other periods would be to dive during slack tide or high tide, whereby divers can avoid the ferocious currents that 7 skies has.

Dangers of 7 skies wrecks

Many a times, there are divers who would push the recreational diving limits and go pass their no-deco limit. Do note that DiveRACE do not support divers doing such a thing, especially when they are on single tank and are not prepared for emergencies.

We seriously advice divers to be sufficiently trained and experienced in deep diving as this dive site begins only at about 20m. This means short No-deco limits and, even if you are on nitrox, you are still limited by your depth limits.  Furthermore, as the dive site is in open water (no nearby islands to help shelter), the currents may at times be strong enough to sweep a diver far away.

Tips to avoid problems

1.  Take note of your air consumption rate, especially when you are deeper. Check your SPG more often that you would.
2. Avoid going to the maximum depth if possible as you give yourself some room for buffer.
3. Have a dive computer and stick to the No-deco limits! What is the point of having a computer but not using it?
4.  Use the stern line (attached from the boat to the structure) when there are strong currents
5.  Do a proper safety stop or multiple safety stops at different levels. (eg. 15m / 1min, 10m / 2mins, 5m / 3mins)
6.  Always check if you are ready for the dive and that you are feeling alright. If you are not, please do not push yourself as you can always dive another time.

DiveRACE will be heading to Anambas Islands / 7 skies wreck / Igara Wreck often as shown in our trip schedules.

Do check it out and book with us! Or send us an email to enquire about it!

Hope everyone enjoyed and appreciate the small read on 7 skies wreck!

Thank you!

Dive Safe,

Lionel