B17F "BLACK JACK"

The four engined American heavy bomber is one of the most iconic aircraft during WWII. Despite being the third mostly produced bomber, only just over 40 B17s survived as of today and PNG currently boasts 2 near intact B17 wreckage in addition to the "Swamp Ghost" which was recovered in 2006 and restored in the US in 2010.

The Black Jack now rests at 43-45m adjacent to a near vertical reef just off the village of Boga Boga in Cape Vogel, Milne Bay Province.  Though its depth exceeds the recreational diving depth limit, the entire aircraft is visible as you descend to 10m and beyond. Due to its remote location, divers should consider using CCRs or use enriched nitrox mixes and oxygen during decompression for open circuit divers in order to have a decent bottom time to explore the entire wreck.

Once arrived at the dive site, you are invited to sign your name on the guest book of divers who dived the Black Jack and not surprisingly there are not many names on it despite being the relatively few near intact B17s underwater (the other known one in similar condition is at 75m in the island of Vis, Croatia).  On the other hand, you are welcomed by a fleet out outrigger canoes where villagers would sell locally made shell jewelleries and kulaus (young coconut) at a very reasonable cost, so do bring small change before you set off.

After jumping into the water and making yourself comfortable, there's a thick rope that guides you from the reef to to the wreck itself. You may also consider leaving your deco stages on the rope at specific depths if you wish to penetrate the wreck. At depth, there's also a guide line from the aft to the cockpit of the aircraft.