Rec • Tec 2028
Truk Lagoon
on the
M/V Truk Odyssey
with
Mike Gerken
Rec Week
Nov 4-11, 2028
and/or
Tec Week
Nov 11-18, 2028
I began running Rec•Tec expeditions on the luxury liveaboard Odyssey in 2018 and here I am introducing yet another two week back-to-back adventure diving the wrecks of Truk Lagoon in 2028. I surpassed my expectations on the success of Rec•Tec and am grateful for the many people who have entrusted me over the years to deliver a trip of a lifetime. Many have given me the best compliment by returning for two or more Rec•Tecs. Scroll down this web page for full details and contact [email protected] to enroll or to make inquiries.
Dream big,
-Mike Gerken
What is Rec•Tec?
Rec•Tec is a two-week back-to-back expedition diving the famed wrecks of Truk Lagoon. You have the option to enroll for one or both weeks. It is strongly recommended to maximize your time in this part of the world and dive both weeks. Week One we dive the wrecks that made Truk famous in the 90'-160' range with average depth of 110'. Stick around for Week Two where we will tackle the less frequented sites in the 120'-205' range. This is a dream Truk Lagoon itinerary!
About Mike
Mike has been diving, filming & photographing the famed Japanese WWII wrecks since 2003 and is presently one of the captains of the finest luxury liveaboard dive vessel in the world, the M/V Odyssey. There is no safer, spacious, tec friendly and more luxurious a vessel to experience the wrecks of Truk from. I will be stepping aside as captain for these trips to focus all of my energy as host to deliver the best experience for you as I possibly can.
About Truk
On February 17th & 18th of 1944, United States Naval forces conducted the most daring carrier based aerial raid in history on the Japanese naval stronghold of Truk Lagoon in Micronesia. More than forty Japanese ships ended up at the bottom of the lagoon turning it into a modern day wreck diving mecca for sport divers the world over. To dive Truk once is but to scratch the surface of what lies below.
The M/V Truk Odyssey
Since 1999, the Odyssey and her highly experienced crew have been taking avid divers in the lap of luxury to dive the wrecks of Truk. The 133' vessel is tricked out to meet the most discerning divers needs. The luxury spacious staterooms with individual climate control, the delicious plentiful food served in the large glassed dining room will not disappoint. Odyssey is a perfectly designed dive platform with everything the recreational and technical diver could ask for. Individual dive lockers, outdoor shower, rinse tanks and extra large camera table are but a few of the amenities on deck. In addition, get truly spoiled with a diver lift that raises you from the water to the swim deck. No climbing! Excellent for divers with heavy gear or physical issues where climbing ladders is difficult.
Rec Week Details
-Board the Odyssey no earlier than 5pm on Saturday.
-Up to 5 dives per day offered including night dive; 3 dives on Friday
-Depart the Odyssey 8am the following Saturday
-Most dives will be less than 130'/40m; several wrecks offer max depths slightly deeper.
-The San Francisco Maru (average depth 165'/50m) will be dived once on Friday the last day.
All Inclusive Package Price $4595.00 per week (5% tax included)
Tec Week Details
-Same as above except we will be diving 1 deep dive in the morning
before lunch and one dive in the afternoon.
Itinerary - subject to change
•Amagisan Maru 110'-180'
•Aikoku Maru 150'-190'
•Oite Destroyer 190'-200'
•Shotan Maru 140'-180'
•Fujisan Maru 140'-180'
•Nagano Maru 160'-190' and more
All Inclusive Package
Price $4595.00 per week (5% tax included)
Two week discount subtract $400.00
Whats Included:
-Diving as indicated above.
-All meals per day plus snacks. (Lets just say you won't go hungry on this trip)
-Professional guide service
-Detailed historical briefings
-Free Nitrox
-Beer, wine, liquor, soft drinks and all beverages included
-Tanks & Weights. The Odyssey provides 80cft, HP steel 120cft and twin manifolded 80cft cylinders plus 30 & 40 cft O2 compatible deco bottles for custom blends of 30% to
100%. (Additional fee for O2)
-Airport greeting and transfer to vessel
-Chuuk State Dive Permit ($50.00 value)
-Odyssey is rebreather friendly. Divers may utilize the 2 or 3 liter rebreather O2 and diluent bottles that are available at no charge. Absorbent is available for purchase from the Odyssey at a competitive price.
Additional Trip Features:
Photo and video workshops
-There will be professional photographic tips and techniques offered the entire trip covering an extensive list of topics such as lighting, lens choices, composition, video editing techniques and setting exposure. Whether you're a novice or an expert, bring your GoPro, SLR or your point & shoot camera and go home with some amazing images.
Historical Briefings
-Comprehensive historical briefings will be provided for each dive
site. Mike will share his knowledge of both the history and photographic
highlights of the wrecks.
-Whether your looking to take awesome photos or just
see the sites, join Mike on one or more of his personal tours. In
addition, there will be the usual compliment of highly experienced local dive guides to take you where ever your heart and nerves desire.
The Wrecks of Truk Lagoon - Documentary
-Free digital copy of Mike's documentary, The Wrecks of Truk
Lagoon. He spent more than 5 years researching and producing this far reaching historical film. It's a must see.
Evening Presentations
-Each evening, after dinner, see what Mike is up
to when he will entertain you with his photo and video presentations.
Whats Not Included:
-Airfare
-Chuuk airport departure tax $30.00 cash
-Gratuities
-Equipment rental or dive instruction
-Oxygen and trimix
-Sorb for rebreather divers - $330/keg
-Hotel stay prior to boarding or after disembarkation (if required)
Terms & Conditions - Please read full terms & conditions on page 2 of application
Payments
$500 deposit due at time of reservation prior to 2 years from trip start date. Additional
$1000 deposit due at 2 years from trip date. Additional $1000 deposit due prior to 360
days from trip start date. Balance due 120 days prior to trip start date.
Cancellations - see application
Any cancellation by you must be made in
writing (via email is fine) and is effective from the date of physical receipt by us. The date
on which the letter is received will determine the cancellation charges applicable.
Greater than 360 days yields $350 loss on deposit for admin fee.
270 days to 181 days yields additional $500 loss on deposit.
180 days to 121 days yields additional $500 loss on deposit.
Less than 120 days no refund.
Dive Insurance: We strongly recommend every passenger carry diving accident insurance such as Divers Alert Network (DAN). No Dive Insurance is included in this package.
Trip Insurance: We strongly recommend every passenger purchase comprehensive trip interruption insurance.
Getting There: United Airlines is the only airline operating to Chuuk from either Hawaii or
Guam. The two common routes are from Narita, Japan to Guam to
Chuuk or Hawaii to Guam to Chuuk. Evolution Dive Travel can assist you with your airline bookings at no additional fee.
Arrival/Departure date:
Embarkation to the
Odyssey is no earlier than 1700 hrs on the
Saturday
of each charter. Disembarkation is at 0800 on
Saturday at the end of each charter.
Truk Lagoon Articles by Mike Gerken
Please read stories related to Truk below.
Read about diving Truk from the Odyssey in Pacific Island Living Magazine; photos and text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving the wreck of the Hoki Maru in Wreck Diving Magazine; photos and text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving the wreck of the Fumitzuki destroyer in Wreck Diving Magazine; photos and text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving the Shinkoku Maru in Wreck Diving Magazine; Photos and text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving the Kensho Maru; Photos and text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving Ghost Wrecks of Truk Lagoon as published in Scuba Diving Magazine. Photos & text by Mike Gerken
Read about diving Rest in Peace as published in Scuba Diving Magazine. Photos & text by Mike Gerken
Contact [email protected] to make your reservation.