News
New shipwreck discovered for Technical Divers in the Red Sea
A team from Red Sea Explorers has been the first to dive on a newly located wreck in the Northern Red Sea.
Following a lead from a trusted local fisherman, Faisal Khalaf and Michel Salsmans ventured into the deep waters near Gubal Island in search of this unknown wreck on 21 and 22 January. A combination of heavy currents, poor visibility, the estimated depth of the wreck and heavy ship traffic made access difficult. After arriving at the suggested coordinates, the team spotted the wreck on the depth sounder and after a battle to hook onto the wreck due to poor surface conditions and the current, they managed to descend.
Upon arriving at depth they found lots of pipes but no wreck. However, after 10 minutes of searching, they came upon a massive structure which was a magnificent sight to see. The wreck appears to have been a cargo ship carrying pipes. It is about 100m in length and approximately 15m wide. With two long masts, one at the stern and another at the bow, they discovered one life raft under the davits on the starboard side.
The following day, they went back to the location to conduct further exploration and identify the wreck. Again, the surface conditions and currents meant they needed to moor some distance away from the wreck itself. The pipes around the wreck make it easy to hook at the wrong spot. They spent 15 minutes reeling out to the wreck, which left only a short time to dive her. They recorded the dive on a GoPro but hope to return soon to get better quality shots.
So far the wreck is unidentified but the Red Sea Explorers team have named it Persistence: The Angle Pipe Wreck.
What is known so far:
- Location: In the middle of the Traffic Separation Scheme North of Gubal Island, in the Northern Red Sea at the mouth of the Gulf of Suez.
- Ship Type: Cargo
- Cargo: Pipes
- Ship Design: Twin Masts: One aft of the super structure and another towards the bow.
- Dimensions: Length approx. 80-110m; beam approx. 15-20m wide.
- Condition: The ship seems to be completely covered with growth, suggesting she has been there for a while, anywhere from early 1950s to 1970s.
- Orientation: Sitting on her starboard side with her bow pointing north.
- Topography: The wreck is sitting in a flat sandy patch with all the pipes and beams scattered to her east.
- Depth: From 62-76m.
Dive Conditions:
- Difficult/Advanced – Hypoxic Trimix Dive.
- Lots of current, both on the surface and on the wreck.
- Windy surface conditions make it tricky on the surface.
- Expect difficulty hooking the wreck due the current and its orientation.
- Visibility is 15m; 10m at depth.
- A lot of fishing lines all around the wreck, divers must take cutting equipment.
- Returning to the up-line is a must as drifting divers will be in the way of the massive cargo ships coming up and down the channel.
Life on the wreck:
The wreck itself is covered with glassfish. Groupers hide inside and giant trevally followed the divers around the wreck. Schooling Barracuda also showed up. The rich murky water makes it an excellent feeding and breeding ground.
The Red Sea Explorers team will be diving on her again soon, so stay tuned for more news!
Find out more at www.redseaexplorers.com.
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
-
- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
-
- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
-
- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
-
- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
-
- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
-
Blogs3 months agoGozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News3 weeks agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months agoBook Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News1 month agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Blogs3 months agoFreediver Christian Redl Sets His 13th World Record at Lake Neufeld