Rio de Janeiro Maru
Submarine tender, sunk 1944, Chuuk
A luxury passenger liner converted to a submarine tender. She sits on her side on a sandy bottom with significant fuel reserves still aboard. Divers found oil leaking from the wreck in September 2025, and she is now the focus of an international oil-removal demonstrator project. Soft corals cover much of the superstructure.
- Depth
- 35 m
- Tonnage
- 9,626 t
- Sunk
- 1944
- State
- Chuuk
Current notices
- MonitoringUpdated 22 Dec 2025
Oil leak contained, shoreline monitoring continues
Divers found oil leaking from the wreck on 11 September 2025 and a state of emergency followed. A collection tank was later placed over the leak point. Oil residue was still being observed on some shorelines in late December 2025. Report any new sheen or fuel smell immediately.
Source: ABC News
Seen oil or damage at the Rio de Janeiro Maru?
Report it with this wreck already selected. For an emergency, call Chuuk Police Emergency 911 (24/7) or Chuuk State EPA +691 330 4158 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm (ChST)).
