One
of the few true warships among the Coron wrecks,
was the Akitsushima, a Japanese flying boat
tender.
Sunk on 24 September 1944 by US Task Force
38
Location:
Between Lajo Island and Manglet Island, south
of Concepcion village on Busuanga Island
Access:
2 hour by banca from Coron town
Conditions:
Normally calm but with some strong currents.
Not a dive for novices.
The
flying boat Kawanishi H8K1 "Emily"
was never found. The wreck, 118m (389ft) long,
4,650 gross tons, lies on its port side pointing
290 degrees"
(119ft) of water, with the starboard side
hull at 22m (72ft). The arm of the stern crane
used to load and unload the flying boat lies
broken to port in 36m (119ft). The main deck
is split between this crane and the funnel.
This is an advanced dive due to the depth.
The ship can be penetrated with care, but
is also good for fish life. Large groupers
lurk in the hull and shoals of barracuda,
tuna and snapper are found along it.
