Alma Jane Wreck, Mindoro: Diving a Purpose-Sunk Cargo Ship

The Alma Jane, a former 60-ton cargo vessel, was deliberately scuttled in March 2003 to create an artificial reef. As you begin your descent, the wreck's full form emerges from the blue, resting upright on the sandy bottom. Its 30 to 32-metre length becomes apparent as you trace its outline, the steel hull now heavily encrusted with nascent corals and sponges, providing a new topography for marine life to colonise and thrive.

This wreck acts as a substantial habitat, drawing in a rich diversity of marine organisms. The holds and cabins offer dark, sheltered spaces, while the deck provides exposed surfaces, each niche supporting different species. You will observe how the currents, characteristic of the Verde Island Passage, sweep nutrients across the wreck, contributing to the prolific growth that establishes this site as a focal point for reef fish and larger pelagics alike.

The Alma Jane's structure is largely intact, offering easy swim-throughs and safe penetration into its cleaned cargo holds and wheelhouse. These internal spaces, once used for transport, now provide refuge for various species. The large openings in the bow allow for straightforward entry and exit, making the wreck accessible for exploration while maintaining safety protocols.

Fish gravitate towards the Alma Jane, using its metal skeleton for protection and as a hunting ground. Swarms of yellow snapper, sweetlips, rabbitfish, and other snappers weave through the structure, their movements creating a dynamic tapestry against the wreck's darker forms. Batfish often hover around the superstructure, while giant lionfish and scorpionfish can be found camouflaged on the encrusted surfaces.

The transformation of the Alma Jane into a living reef is a continuous process. Over time, hard corals and soft corals have begun to encrust its surfaces, adding colour and texture to the otherwise stark metal. These coral growths, alongside numerous gorgonian fans, provide further microhabitats for smaller creatures like frogfish, ghost pipefish, pufferfish, nudibranchs, and various shrimp, illustrating how quickly an artificial structure can integrate into the marine ecosystem.

The wreck's position off Small La Laguna/Sabang Beach in Puerto Galera places it within the dynamic Verde Island Passage. While conditions can vary, the wreck often experiences currents that sweep across its length. These currents, while sometimes challenging, are also responsible for bringing in the nutrients that sustain the abundant marine life found here, making each dive a unique experience influenced by the water's flow.

Diving the Alma Jane offers a comprehensive wreck experience, combining the thrill of exploring a sunken vessel with the vibrant ecosystem of an artificial reef. Its upright position and accessible features make it a popular site for both recreational exploration and specialized training dives, providing a clear example of how human intervention can create new, thriving underwater environments.