A perilous fishing net covering a 56 metre long shipwreck was carefully removed by concerned divers from Mermaids Dive Center to free trapped marine life and restore the precious eco-system. The HTMS Khram shipwreck located off the island of Koh Phai is home to an abundance of soft corals, sponges, fish and an occasional turtle.

Sue Horwoods of Mermaids Dive Center said, “Hundreds of dead or dying fish were trapped inside. Knowing the extent and fragility of marine life on the Khram, and seeing the hundreds of already
condemned fish, not to mention the extreme danger to divers
through entanglement, it was decided that something had to be done
as soon as possible.”

13 divers in five teams carried out the clean up operation. Care and attention was taken not to cause any further damage to the marine life on the wreck and slowly the net was untangled and removed.

Snorkelers in the water brought the net back to the boat where it was hauled on board. Divers finally attempted to free any marine life from the
net that was still alive and release it back into the ocean.

A huge thank you and well done to everyone who played a part in helping to free The Khram from a serious potential hazard both to the marine life and divers:

Special thanks to: Sue Horwood, Mark Slingo, Desi Doggart, Ian Barr, Lee Smitten, Mike Fleener, Paul Myford, Kerry Pattison, Chopaga, Will Robson, Luke Venn, Keith Brown, Michael Rhys Morgan, Dustin McPherson, Richard Wilson, Graham Jefferson.