Modern Shipwrecks in the Marshall Islands
Ryuo Maru No 28, Enemakij Island,
Majuro Atoll 1992

A Photo Essay
by Dirk HR Spennemann


The Korean Fishing vessel Ryo Maru no 28 ran aground on the ocean side reef of Enemakij Island, Majuro atoll in the night to the 14th of March 1992. The vessel broke up about a week later, with the heavy engine compartment falling into deep water. The bow and central section of the ship were pushed further onto the reef platform, where the hull was gradually ground up by wave action.

Aerial view of the northeastern reef platform of Majuro Atoll. Enemakej Island is in the center. The main pass can be seen in the background.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Aerial view of Enemakej Island showing the wreck of the Ryuo Maru 28 on the reef's egde.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The wreck of the Ryuo Maru 28 on the reef's egde of Enemakej Island as seen by boat.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The wreck of the Ryuo Maru 28 on the reef's egde of Enemakej Island as seen by boat.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Bow section of the Ryuo Maru 28. Note the loss of the lower starboard side due to wave action.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Bow section of the Ryuo Maru 28 seen from the center of the ship. Note the loss of the lower starboard side due to wave action.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Bow section of the Ryuo Maru 28 seen from the center of the ship. Note the loss of the lower starboard side due to wave action
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Center section of the Ryuo Maru 28 seen from the center of the ship. Note the loss of the lower starboard side due to wave action
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The wreck of the Ryuo Maru 28 on the reef's egde of Enemakej Island as seen from the islet
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The wreck of the Ryuo Maru 28 on the reef's egde of Enemakej Island. Note the coral rubble build-up alongside the hull
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The wreck of the Ryuo Maru 28 on the reef's egde of Enemakej Island as seen from a neighbouring island
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of the bow section of the Ryuo Maru 28 seen from the center of the ship.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The wreck of the Ryuo Maru 28 on the reef's egde of Enemakej Island. Note the coral rubble build-up alongside the hull
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

The piping of the chiller plant, washed up on the island's edge.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of the piping of the chiller plant, washed up on the island's edge
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Chunk of hull as well as ground-up glass fibers washed up on the island's edge
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of ground-up glass fibers washed up on the island's edge
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of a chunk of hull washed up on the island's edge
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Center section of the Ryuo Maru 28. Note the net.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Ship's debris washed up on the beach
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of ground-up glass fibers
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of ground-up glass fibers
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of ground-up glass fibers
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of ground-up glass fibers.Note the fish bones.
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of ground-up glass fibers. Note the fish bones
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)

Close-up of ground-up glass fibers
(Photograph © 1989-2001 Dirk HR Spennemann)




[Atolls of the Marshall Islands]


Bibliographic citation for this document

Spennemann, Dirk H.R. (2001). Modern Shipwrecks in the Marshall Islands--Ryuo Maru No 28, Enemakij Island, Majuro Atoll 1992-- A Photo Essay. URL: http:/marshall.csu.edu.au/Marshalls/html/History/Ryuo_Maru28.html

CONTACT:
Dirk H.R. Spennemann, Institute of Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, P.O.Box 789, Albury NSW 2640, Australia.
e-mail: dspennemann@csu.edu.au


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