SL/E/PASI/M/17

SL/E/PASI/M/17

Original Name: Catalina Y-78
Batticaloa, Eastern
Year Sunk: 1943 Depth: 41.00m - 42.00m None

About this Shipwreck

The aircrash site of a World War II, RAF Dutch Squadron 321, Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, call sign Y-78, aircraft that was lost during a flight from Ceylon to Andaman islands to hunt fo Japanese Submarines. The crash site is 42m deep and scattered with the remnants of this aircraft.

Basic Information

Site Name SL/E/PASI/M/17
Original Name Catalina Y-78
Other Names Catalina
Year Sunk 1943
Country Sri Lanka

Location

District Batticaloa
Province Eastern
Depth Range 41.00m - 42.00m

Protection & Status

Legal Status None
Access Restriction None
Degrade Status Very Fragile
Archaeological Value Low

Shipwreck Overview

Description

Remans of the RAF 'DUTCH' SQUADRON 321, Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina Y-78 Patrol boat that was lost during World War II. The Y-78, crashed at sea on its way to Andaman Islands to destroy Japanese Submarines. All crew survived. The aircraft sank on seabed 42m deep, off the coast of Passikudah.

The crash-site is apread over a 50-75 SQM area. Wings, Two Propellers, Engine Parts (Prat & Whitney Twin-Wasp Radial Engines), two wheels and parts of undercarriage can be found. The 'engineers window', speific to Catalina's can be seen.

The site is inhabited by a shoal of Blue-Striped Snappers and large Flower Groupers

Historical Information
Technical Details
  • Recorded Date: May 21, 2021
  • Last Updated: June 25, 2021
  • Biodiversity Survey: Pending
  • Published: Yes

Photos & Videos

Port Wing
Port Wing

The badly damage port side wing inhabited by a shoal of Blue-Striped Snappers and Flower Gropuers.

May 8, 2015 Credit: D. Jayawardena/Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the Shipwrecks of Sri Lanka
Broken Wing
Broken Wing

A broken (main) wing with part of the fuselage.

May 8, 2015 Credit: D. Jayawardena/Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the Shipwrecks of Sri Lanka
Metric Wave Radar Unit
Metric Wave Radar Unit

The PBY-5A Catalina Metric Wave Radar array with Dipole Antenas

Oct 5, 2014 Credit: D. Jayawardena/Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the Shipwrecks of Sri Lanka

Artifacts

No artifacts recorded for this shipwreck.

Location Map