Chenney suggested that we have lunch on a tiny island that was just visible to the East of our position.  It turned out to be a coral island called ‘Blue Lagoon Jeep Island’, which was a coral islet with a hut, covered eating area, toilet building, deck chairs and an outdoor table.  

After a two and a half-hour surface interval, we headed West to the Rio de Janeiro Maru, which lies off the east coast of Uman Island. This ship was a passenger liner, which was converted into a submarine depot ship, then to a transport.  It is 140 metres long and lies on its starboard side in 39 metres.

Michael, Rod and I descended near the bow, swam along the promenade deck, down through doors and into Hold 4.  We swam out to the deck and followed it towards the stern.  We entered the aft hold where we found thousands of beer bottles.  We emerged from the hold and found Neil and Paul at the stern gun.  We swam around the stern, which is very similar to the Heian Maru, and examined the rudder and the two propellers. We then followed the port promenade deck back to the bow.  Neil took pictures of the fish and coral on the forecastle and large bow gun.