The wreck of the ferry M\V Mactan lies off Maestro de Campo island in the Tablas Straits. A passenger ferry approximately 80m/260ft in length, this ship got into trouble in a squall at night in the early seventies, running aground and allowing fortunate rescue to shore of almost everyone aboard. The vessel has now slid to a position where it lies on its starboard side with the bow at 22m/75ft, and propeller at 51m/170ft. The reef shelves away at the stern of the wreck, and Trimix divers still uncover wreckage and items of passengers luggage deep in this area. Off the bow, the ships radar can be found in about 18m of water. Diving conditions are good, away from land with no river run off, visibility is generally very good, with up to moderate currents, and consequently there is good coral cover and many friendly fish. Being a ferry, the vessel is quite open for safe swim troughs and full penetrations alike, and several days can easily be spent exploring this one wreck. The best diving depths are up to about 45m/150ft.
|