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On the 4th of May 1997, The King Cruiser, a car ferry operating from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands in southern Thailand, hit a submerged collection of rocky pinnacles, splitting the designated marine sanctuary and popular dive site in two. The impact also tore a large hole in the vessels hull limiting its seaworthiness to a further thousand meters. Seventeen minutes later and remaining in one piece, it was under thirty meters of water and on the seabed. 561 passengers were rescued when the ferry boat sank about ten miles off Phi Phi Island. All the passengers - Thai and foreign tourists - were safely taken to two police patrol boats and 4-5 fishing boats, which raced to the rescue in response to an emergency call. One elderly woman sustained a broken back and several others suffered shock.
The wreck sits upright in thirty meters of sand and remains in one piece although the foreword upper deck has collapsed. The simplest and safest point of entry is through the vessels stern where divers can explore the once active car decks. This particular part of the structure is reached after a descent averaging only ten meters. Machinery still sits on the deck. Inside the car deck are a couple of vehicle tires and an engine trolley. The interior darkens as you continue through and up one of the stairways on either side; patches of chrome peek through the now barnacle covered handrail. Both of these lead through open doors and out to walkways.
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