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Diving the Bremen Wreck (SS Petchburi)
The 88-metre long SS Bremen is a single-screw steamship that sank about thirty (30) kilometres south of Pattaya in December 1920 following an engine room explosion.
So, why is this one of the lesser dived shipwrecks and what kind of marine life lives in the rusty wreckage situated between Sattahip and the island of Koh Khram Yai?
Why Did Petchburi Bremen Sink in Thailand
There are several names given to the Bremen Wreck, including the SS Petchburi and the SS Kaeo Samud.
Nonetheless, this is one of the best wreck dives in Pattaya, albeit more of a challenge than those closer to the mainland, such as:
The dive site for the Bremen is about thirty (30) kilometres from Laem Bali Hai Port in Pattaya, Thailand. It came to rest between Koh Khram Yai and the eastern seaboard at Sattahip in the Thai province of Chonburi.
It was actually built in Germany in 1901 at a large shipyard in Bremerhaven (hence the name Bremen). Before it sank, its total length measured 88.5 metres and the breadth was 11.9 metres.
Here's the thing:
The military in Thailand confiscated the interned freighter in Bangkok in 1917 and renamed it to Kaeo Samud. But, a fire in the engine room caused a big explosion and the vessel sank before it could complete its intended journey to Swatow, eastern China.
Since the fateful day, the 27th of December 1920, it's been sitting mostly upright on the sand at a depth of twenty four (24) metres - depending on the tidal flow.
Even though some of the wreck is badly broken, the bow and stern sections are still relatively intact. What remains of the midship section more than 100 years later is mostly a mass of mangled steel.
Pro Tip: Despite more than 100 years of decay, the bow and stern remain largely unbroken. As a consequence, most of the local wreck diving enthusiasts consider the SS Petchburi Bremen as being one of the oldest "intact" shipwrecks in Pattaya.
Marine Life at SS Bremen Wreck
With an average diving depth of fifteen (15) metres, scuba divers can see how this massive artificial reef structure has transformed into a vibrant mini ecosystem.
The shell and narrow passageways have become a host for a diverse array for different types of sea life, including:
- Angelfish (saltwater species)
Barracuda- Blackspot Tuskfish (Choerodon schoenleinii)
- Black stingrays (Dasyatis thetidis)
- Eagle ray (chondrichthyans)
- Marine Turtles (Testudines)
- Moray eels (Muraenidae)
- Nudibranch (e.g. Hypselodoris bullockii)
- Octopus
- Puffer fishes (Tetraodontidae)
- Sea Sponges
- Stonefishes (Order: Scorpaeniformes)
Safety Tips for Diving the Petchburi Bremen Wreck
In the interest of safe diving practices, it's better to do some prudent preparation before you consider going on a dive trip to the wreckage site.
For instance:
The location of the submerged shell is in a channel renowned for ripping underwater currents. Thus, scheduling the dive during periods of slack water will help to ensure better visibility (up to fifteen metres) and safer conditions for divers.
Moreover, it's not uncommon for this area to be the target of significant activity for the Royal Thai Navy. So, check with the dive shop and be aware that there may be some additional restrictions in place.
Pro Tip: These final thoughts and professional advice come from my personal experience after diving around this fascinating example of maritime history. The sunken wreckage of the Bremen sits in open water with very strong currents that prevail for most of the year. So, the optimum months for scuba diving the Petchburi Bremen is from December to March. However, we "do not" recommend "penetrating" this freighter without the proper training and equipment.