VIGOUR PIONEER - Jeju Island

The *Vigour Pioneer* is a proper piece of history on the seabed, a deep wreck that really makes you work for it. This isn't one for casual divers. Dropping down to 55 metres, you're looking at a 105-metre long motor vessel, sunk in '89. We love the sheer scale of it, stretching out into the gloom. Visibility can be a bit of a mixed bag here; sometimes you get a good 15 metres, other days it's more like ten, adding to the wreck's moody atmosphere. Exploring the *Vigour Pioneer* feels like an archaeological expedition. We usually start our decent along the bow, letting our lights sweep over the encrusted railings. You'll often find schooling grunt sheltering in the deeper sections, and we've seen some impressive moray eels peeking out from collapsed sections of the superstructure. Our favourite is moving along the upper deck, where the old winches and machinery are slowly being consumed by the ocean. Keep an eye out for the occasional large pelagic cruising past in the blue. It's a dive that rewards solid deep diving experience and meticulous planning.

Location

Jeju Island, South Korea, East Asia

Coordinates

34.233334, 125.700000

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

55m

Marine Protected Area: Cžl mna絵 Jֻint i