From July 14th to July 30th we stayed at the beautiful Aore Island Resort and notably dived at the famous wreck of the SS President Coolidge and the Million Dollar Point. We dived with Santo Island Dive, which has a small unattended dive center at Aore Resort where you can wash and hang your gear. In the morning you will be picked up by boat for two dives. Night dives in the wreck of the SS President Coolidge are also very interesting. There you sit in the dark in the large loading bay and marvel at schools of flashlight fish. There are two other dive companies in neighboring Luganville: Aquamarine Santo and Allen Power Dive.
Fig. 1: Snorkeling at Aore Island Resort Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 15 July 2010 01:16:50Fig. 2: Snorkeling at Aore Island Resort Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/9.0; ISO 100; 15 July 2010 01:21:06Fig. 3: Snorkeling at Aore Island Resort Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 15 July 2010 01:24:40Fig. 4: Snorkeling at Aore Island Resort Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 15 July 2010 01:34:29Fig. 5: A swarm of fish underneath the jetty at Aore Island Resort. Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 15 July 2010 01:46:31Fig. 6: A swarm of fish underneath the jetty at Aore Island Resort. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 15 July 2010 01:48:48Fig. 7: A fish swarm at Cindys Reef Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=22 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 16 July 2010 23:57:15Fig. 8: A clam shel in a big block stone coral Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 17 July 2010 00:03:33Fig. 9: A bat fish Cindys Reef Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 17 July 2010 00:10:09Fig. 10: The bow of a sunken ship at Million Dollar Point. It probably sank during a salvage mission of the valuable stuff that the americans sank here after the second world war. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:36:23Fig. 11: The cargo bay of a sunken salvage ship. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:37:34Fig. 12: The local guide holds the hand of an inexperienced diver. How was it again with the buddy system and solo diving? Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:38:31Fig. 13: All the american world war II junk is piling up several meters high down to 50 meters. This here is a caterpillar with some trailers and a crane. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:40:01Fig. 14: Our local guide is trying whether the crane is still working under water and poses for a picture. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:44:28Fig. 15: Also my dive buddy is posing for a picture on the crane's steering wheel. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:44:56Fig. 16: Slowly the nature is reclaiming the junkjard. Red sponges are growing on this tire peeping out of the junk. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:46:13Fig. 17: A swarm of young barracudas is swimming in blue water. While they are young they are swimming mostly in swarm formation and are harmless. When they grow older and bigger they are loner and one as to be very careful. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:46:28Fig. 18: The tires of a sunken trailer. One profile doesn't match the others. I guess those aren't suitable for winter conditions. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:47:32Fig. 19: A stone coral is growing on a sunken trailer. On this site one could dive for days and every time see something new in the garbage pile. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:48:17Fig. 20: A nice gorgony is growing between all this junk from the second world war. In the background a swarm of young barracudas is swimming by. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:49:48Fig. 21: Another gorgony, this time a yellow one, is growing on the scrap of this World War II junkyard. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:51:25Fig. 22: The tires of some vehicle wreck are looking out of the huge pile of scrap metal and garbage. This was probably once a trailer. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:55:49Fig. 23: A caterpillar is lying upside down on this huge World War II junkyard left by the americans. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 18 July 2010 23:59:16Fig. 24: The wreck of another ship that probably sank while salvaging some of the old metal on this junkyard. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=12 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 19 July 2010 00:05:14Fig. 25: The remnans of a crashed WW II airplane nearby Aore island. Aore island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 19 July 2010 02:36:34Fig. 26: There probably haven't been many divers on this dive site. The gorgony is still big and looks intact. A black feather seastar has sat down on it. Aore island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 19 July 2010 02:37:44Fig. 27: And another gorgony. But fish are rare here in these waters. probably everything is fished empty. Aore island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 19 July 2010 02:39:21Fig. 28: The propeller of a crashed WW II airplane nearby Aore island is silently rusting. Aore island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 19 July 2010 02:45:15Fig. 29: The branches of a green coral. There were really almost no fish around here. Sad. Aore island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 19 July 2010 02:48:32Fig. 30: The bow of the wreck of the SS President Coolidge starts at 15 meters depth. The rope leads to a deco platform at 5 meters. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:22:55Fig. 31: The anchor wrench of the ship which lies on the side. The anchor chains are still deployed. The ship was set on ground on the shore after it was struck by a "friendly" mine, so that all 5000 soldiers and crew could leave the ship. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:24:13Fig. 32: One of the two guns on the bow of the ship. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:25:53Fig. 33: This could probably some ammunition or spare parts of one of the guns on the ship's bow. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:26:16Fig. 34: I have no idea what this was. It's probably a broken-off part of a side cover. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=14 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:30:36Fig. 35: Corals are growing on the side of the wreck which lies on it's port side. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:33:35Fig. 36: Whip corals are growing on the side of the wreck which lies on it's port side. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:34:49Fig. 37: Corals are growing on the wrecks porthole which was once a luxury ship. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:35:30Fig. 38: My dive buddy is holding a gas mask on her face. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:36:13Fig. 39: Corals are growing on the opening of the cargo bay. An emperor fish forgot to hide itself from the camera. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:37:21Fig. 40: A swarm of glassfish is looking for a shelter in the corners. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=12 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:45:16Fig. 41: Our dive guide is making air rings during the decompression stop at five meters. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=14 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:55:46Fig. 42: During the decompression stop at five meters one has time to observe the many fish around here like these anemone with clownfish. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/9.0; ISO 100; 20 July 2010 00:57:33Fig. 43: Portholes in the first class dining room of the former luxury liner SS President Coolidge that was transformed into a troop carrier in World War II. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=17 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 21 July 2010 23:24:38Fig. 44: The famous lady with the unicorn can be found on the wall of the first class smoking room. Depth about 38 meters. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=22 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 21 July 2010 23:27:38Fig. 45: View through the hole in the cargo bay out into the blue sea. Unfortunately my diving companions didn't turn around for posing. It would be a much nicer picture than this. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=15 mm; f/5.0; ISO 640; 21 July 2010 23:31:40Fig. 46: Collapsed structures on the ship deck. Maybe it once was the promenade deck. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 640; 21 July 2010 23:32:41Fig. 47: One of the batfish swimming around and through the wreck. SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 21 July 2010 23:35:21Fig. 48: Maybe this once was the captain's room. SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/25 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 21 July 2010 23:37:30Fig. 49: Corals are growing what once was a gun. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 21 July 2010 23:39:13Fig. 50: Alfred our dive guide is petting "Nessie" a tame moray eel living on the wreck for years. Tame or not, I'd rather don't touch it. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 21 July 2010 23:40:25Fig. 51: The moray eel "Nessie" living in the wreck. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 21 July 2010 23:40:56Fig. 52: The bow of a further shipwreck that probably has sunken during a salvage operation for all the scrap metal on the ground. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=12 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 01:54:56Fig. 53: There's so many scrap metal on this junkyard. I don't know how many millions the estimated value of all the inventory was that the americans dumped here after World War II. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/180 s; f=12 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 01:55:51Fig. 54: The natives didn't have the money for buying it and the americans didn't want taking it home and sell it there, because they were afraid that the market would crash then. So the threw everything into the ocean. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=12 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 01:56:21Fig. 55: The dive guide and my buddy are swimming into position for a photo on the shipwreck's bow. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 01:57:05Fig. 56: The dive guide and my buddy are posing for a picture on the shipwrecks' bow. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=13 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 01:57:42Fig. 57: The dive guide and my buddy are posing for another picture on the shipwrecks' cabin. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/91 s; f=24 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 01:59:14Fig. 58: This sunken bulldozer lies about 50 depth. It probably was used for building the air strip at Luganville during World War II. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=17 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:00:28Fig. 59: Trucks, trailers, a tank and many other scrap metal are piling up on this World War II junkyard. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:01:35Fig. 60: Trucks, trailers, a tank and many other scrap metal are piling up on this World War II junkyard. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:02:16Fig. 61: A swarm of barracudas is circling above this historic junkjard of american war history. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:04:18Fig. 62: Many trucks pile up here on this slope. The americans built a ramp, put a stone on the gas pedal and let them drive into the sea. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:05:06Fig. 63: This wheel on the bus no longer go round and round anymore. Sponges and corals are growing on its tires. OK, maybe it wasn't a bus after all. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=13 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:07:24Fig. 64: This wheel on the bus no longer go round and round anymore. Sponges and corals are growing on its tires. OK, maybe it wasn't a bus after all. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=13 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:07:42Fig. 65: Corals, sponges and a gorgony are growing on this tire that was a on a military truck on the american base at Luganville during World War II. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=13 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:09:25Fig. 66: Four wheels on a sunken military truck. Instead of donating all the equipment to the local people for all the trouble the americans have caused, they dumped everything into the ocean, sometimes even brand new stuff. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:10:29Fig. 67: Corals are growing on these tires of a sunken military truck. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=12 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:15:04Fig. 68: Corals are growing on a tire of a sunken military truck. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=12 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:16:43Fig. 69: A barrel with growing corals on it. What might have been in there? Probably nothing toxic waste or nothing would grow here. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=12 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:18:51Fig. 70: The wreck of a ship that has probalby sunken during salvage operation. Counting all the shipwrecks here, the salvage team probably underestimated the weight of the scrap metal once it came out of the water. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=12 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:23:38Fig. 71: A feather seastar sitting on top of a whip coral and spreading out all of its arms. Beind there is scrap metal from World War II and the sun is shining above it. Unfortunately I discoveres that the feather seastar is partially in a shadow. I haven't noticed that on the camera's small preview picture. I should have repositioned my strope. Thinking under water is sometimes difficult and with increasing age my arms are getting too short. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/500 s; f=24 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:26:14Fig. 72: A piece of scrap metal where corals are growing on it. A feather seastar is also sitting here. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=24 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:31:35Fig. 73: A swarm of small fish is hiding between all the scrap metal on this World War II junkyard. Million Dollar Point, Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=24 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 22 July 2010 02:33:25Fig. 74: A hand wheel on the wreck of the USS Tucker or what's left of it. The ship was struck by a "friendly mine", broke into two pieces and sank here in World War II. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/10.0; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:10:29Fig. 75: The wreck of the marine vessel USS Tucker is lying on its side. There's nothing much left. Most of it has been stolen. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:12:57Fig. 76: That piece of the USS Tucker could probably have been a boiler with heat exchange tubes. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:23:17Fig. 77: A soft coral is growing on a piece of scrap metal that once belonged to the marine vessel USS Tucker. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:25:32Fig. 78: Some component of the wreck of the marine vessel USS Tucker which broke into two pieces after hitting a friendly mine. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:26:12Fig. 79: A swarm of fusiliers is swimming above the wreck of the USS Tucker. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:27:26Fig. 80: Alfred our local dive guide gives an OK sign from the wreck of the USS Tucker. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:29:21Fig. 81: Inside the broken wreck of the USS Tucker. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/20 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:30:31Fig. 82: Inside the broken wreck of the USS Tucker. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/80 s; f=24 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:37:20Fig. 83: A table coral is growing on a piece of scrap metal of the USS Tucker. Espiritu Santu, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=22 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 00:41:02Fig. 84: A sea turtle on dive site "aore wall" nearby of our resort on Aore island. Aore island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 03:08:30Fig. 85: A big gorgony with two feather seastars nearby of our resort on Aore island. Unfortunately there were no fish. Aore island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/14.0; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 03:16:32Fig. 86: Feather seastars sitting side by side on a big gorgony. The dive site "aore wall" was nearby our resort where we stayed during this holiday. Aore island, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=19 mm; f/9.0; ISO 100; 23 July 2010 03:24:49Fig. 87: The cargo bay of the SS President Coolidge is full of war supplies. Here is an artillery gun. Wreck of the SS President Coolidge, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/25 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 800; 23 July 2010 23:56:13Fig. 88: Airplane fuel tanks in the cargo bay of the SS President Coolidge. They were used to extend the range of fighting airplanes and then dropped before landing to save weight. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=20 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 24 July 2010 00:05:21Fig. 89: A row of toilet seats for 5000 soldiers that were carried by the SS President Coolidge. Shitting side by side must have been fun here. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=19 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 24 July 2010 00:08:37Fig. 90: Pharmaceutical ampullas from inside the wreck of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 200; 24 July 2010 00:09:20Fig. 91: Corals growing under the bow of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=22 mm; f/10.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 02:51:36Fig. 92: Corals growing under the bow of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=16 mm; f/10.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 02:52:08Fig. 93: An US army jeep in the cargo bay of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=16 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 02:57:15Fig. 94: Light shines through a row of portholes in the dining room of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/40 s; f=16 mm; f/4.0; ISO 800; 24 July 2010 03:02:04Fig. 95: A porthole on the wreck of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=24 mm; f/7.1; ISO 800; 24 July 2010 03:03:35Fig. 96: My dive buddy saluting with a helmet and a rifle on the wreck of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 03:10:06Fig. 97: There's a rope from the bow of the SS President Coolidge at 15 meters depth to the decompression platform at 5 meters. Slowly follow that row and watch your dive computer. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 03:17:21Fig. 98: There's a lot of entertainment on the decompression platform at five meters. There are different types of anemones with different clownfish. This helps spending the time during decompression stop. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/14.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 03:22:00Fig. 99: Another anemone with clownfish at the five meters decompression platform above the wreck of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/18.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 03:23:41Fig. 100: A wonderful big gorgony at dive site "fan garden", Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 23:33:01Fig. 101: A wonderful big gorgony at dive site "fan garden", Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 23:40:57Fig. 102: A wonderful big gorgony at dive site "fan garden", Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 23:41:22Fig. 103: Different types of corals nearby Cindy's reef. Unfortunately there are almost no fish here. The dive guide said, that's normal here. But I think this area is overfished. Dive site "fan garden", Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 23:41:59Fig. 104: A wonderful big gorgony at dive site "fan garden", Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 23:43:25Fig. 105: A wonderful big gorgony at dive site "fan garden", Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=12 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 24 July 2010 23:44:43Fig. 106: The gun on starboard side of the SS President Coolidge. Luckily this picture is sharp. I had forgotten to turn on autofocus on this dive. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=14 mm; f/5.6; ISO 100; 26 July 2010 00:15:37Fig. 107: The gun on starboard side of the SS President Coolidge. Luckily this picture is sharp. I had forgotten to turn on autofocus on this dive. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=14 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 26 July 2010 00:15:54Fig. 108: The Saki Blue Hole is a freshwater source in the jungle of Espiritu Santo island. It's not very big and 12 meters deep, but the water is very clear. One has to be carefoul not to stir up sediments with the fins. I made a solo dive here. Sandra and our guide Alfred stayed on the surface. Unfortunately it was cloudy on that day. The sun came out only for a few seconds while I was on the surface. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/5.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 01:02:34Fig. 109: Diving in the Saki Blue hole on Espiritu Santo. The freshwater of this source here is filtered through porous stones. That's just a small hole here where my camera fitted in. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 01:07:29Fig. 110: A sunken stump in the Saki Blue Hole on Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 01:13:59Fig. 111: This is one of a few other blue holes on Espiritu Santo. I was allowed for a solo dive here, because it was too small for two divers. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/60 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 01:16:08Fig. 112: Algae are growing here and give a green colour in the blue hole. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 27 July 2010 01:19:01Fig. 113: Diving in the Saki Blue hole on Espiritu Santo. The freshwater of this source here is filtered through porous stones. The bottom is very soft silt. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=10.5 mm; f/2.8; ISO 200; 27 July 2010 01:23:22Fig. 114: The platform on the shore of the blue hole. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=10.5 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 27 July 2010 01:27:22Fig. 115: Underneath the platform on the shore of the blue hole many fish are hiding. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=10.5 mm; f/3.2; ISO 200; 27 July 2010 01:29:34Fig. 116: Split view of the platform with Sandra and Alfred. He said, that water is too cold for him for diving. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 200; 27 July 2010 01:30:27Fig. 117: Split view of the blue hole in the jungle. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/100 s; f=10.5 mm; f/3.5; ISO 200; 27 July 2010 01:32:37Fig. 118: Junk on the hull of the SS President Coolidge. Here is a big hole to the engine room. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/4.5; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:47:32Fig. 119: The engine room of the SS President Coolidge is at 47 meters depth. This is the big generator that produced electricty for the whole ship. At that time this was also enough for a small city. The coils are good visible here. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=13 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:48:54Fig. 120: In the engine room of the SS President Coolidge at 47 meters depth. That thing here could be a condensator. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=14 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:49:39Fig. 121: And again the generator in the engine room of the SS President Coolidge at 47 meters depth. Below here was a brass panel with an inscription. Two australian divers died here. The stirred up that many silt that the got panicked and didn't find the exit. But that are here is wide open. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:50:18Fig. 122: Pipes and valves in the engine room of the SS President Coolidge. I didn't want to go deeper than 47 meters. That's way too deep for a single tank and also on the limit for plain air. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=22 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:51:09Fig. 123: A ladder in the engine room of the SS President Coolidge. It's sideways because the wreck lies on its side. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:51:43Fig. 124: Pipes with valves in the engine room of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=19 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:52:03Fig. 125: What's this in the engine room of the SS President Coolidge? Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=19 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:52:57Fig. 126: The visibility in the control room of the SS President Coolidge was very bad. I probably should have gone closer for a detail picture, but I forgot to think about that. At depth time and thinking is limited. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=16 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:54:02Fig. 127: The telegraph in the engine room of the SS President Coolidge. It was set to "Finished with Engine" before the ship sank. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=20 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:55:02Fig. 128: The sign to the gentlement toilet inside the wreck of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:57:42Fig. 129: At the doctor's room in the wreck of the SS President Coolidge. Depth about 42 meters. There are still ampullas with medicaments in the big bottle. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:58:14Fig. 130: A chandelier in the first class dining room of the SS President Coolidge. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=24 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 27 July 2010 23:59:44Fig. 131: The famous lady with the unicorn in the salon at 38 meters depth. The guide said: Divers are allowed to kiss the lade, lady divers are allowed to kiss the butt of the unicorn. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=20 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 28 July 2010 00:01:34Fig. 132: Our crazy guide removed it's jacket at 38 meters depth and signed me to take a picture of him kissing the lady. The day before he jocked about it. Luckily there was no problem. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/4.0; ISO 100; 28 July 2010 00:02:00Fig. 133: Decompression stop at the rope leading from the wreck to the platform. Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=12 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 28 July 2010 00:13:56Fig. 134: Feeding the fish during decompressoin stop: Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/125 s; f=15 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 28 July 2010 00:22:51Fig. 135: A swarm of makerels shot during snorkeling. They were just two meters away, but due to the fisheye lens they appear to be much further away. Aore island, Expiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/250 s; f=10.5 mm; f/8.0; ISO 100; 29 July 2010 02:03:01Fig. 136: Coral blocks photographed while free diving on the beach of our resort. I didn't have the strobe mounted. Aore island, Expiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/160 s; f=10.5 mm; f/6.3; ISO 100; 29 July 2010 02:04:30Fig. 137: Total reflection of the water surface at five meters depth. One can see the whole sky as a circle. Aore island, Expiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/640 s; f=10.5 mm; f/11.0; ISO 100; 29 July 2010 02:04:36Fig. 138: A self portrait while freediving. Aore island, Expiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/200 s; f=10.5 mm; f/7.1; ISO 100; 29 July 2010 02:10:30Fig. 139: A coral block with many small fish, photographed while free diving on the beach of our resort. Aore island, Expiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Nikon D200; Δt=1/320 s; f=10.5 mm; f/9.0; ISO 100; 29 July 2010 02:14:04
