MARSA ALAM SHIPWRECKS
The Red Sea reefs around Marsa Alam are among the world’s most fascinating for shipwrecks. With the opening of the Suez canal in 1869 it became the prime route for shipping between Europe and Asia and the numerous reefs and shoals were a deadly danger sinking an unknown number of vessels.
Nature quickly colonized the wrecks and they became the home to a colourful diversity of fish and coral species. Those in shallower waters provide an amazingly photogenic and challenging environment for divers. But if you are going to explore a wreck do listen to the advice of your diving guide to ensure you have a fascinating but safe dive.
Here are what I think are the top five shipwrecks within 100 miles of Marsa Alam. Number 5 and 4 (the first two listed) are only suitable for advanced divers.
5. SS NUMIDIA
WHAT ?
A British cargo ship of 6399 tons, 140 metres (460 Feet) owned by the Anchor Line Shipping Company.
WHERE ?
Off Big Brother Island, north of the lighthouse, approximately 59 km ENE of El Quseir.
WHEN ?
Launched 1901 and ran aground 20 July the same year during her second voyage bound for Calcutta.
WHO ?
97 crew under the command of Captain John Craig – all survived.
WHY ?
A navigational error by the Second Officer of the ship after the Master had left the bridge.
DEPTH OF WRECK
9 to 72 metres.
ANY UNSALVAGED CARGO ?
Iron locomotive rails.
HAZARDS
Strong currents and beware diving too deep. Vulnerable to adverse weather conditions.
COMMON MARINE SPECIES
Grey reef and hammerhead sharks as well as lionfish, gorgonians, antipitharians, sea whips and many varieties of soft coral.
SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED
Only for experienced divers.
VISIBILITY
Average 20 metres (65 feet) – the wreck lies in shade in the morning – colours better in the afternoon.
DID YOU KNOW ?
The island’s stone lighthouse is 32 metres high and was built in the nineteenth century
NOTE
As this wreck is in a protected marine park please ensure you have the necessary permission.
WHY DIVE HERE ?
Due to its remote location and challenging dive, you will be one of only a few to visit.
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Jan 2019 – 9.35 mins – 2+ likes – 150+ views
4. THE AIDA
WHAT ?
An Egyptian supply ship originally launched in France in 1911. 1428 tons and 75 metres long.
WHERE ?
Off Big Brother Island approximately 59 km ENE of El Quseir – about 220 metres north of the lighthouse and jetty. Approx GPS 26 18.25″ N, 34 51.43″E (not accurate).
WHEN ?
She sank on 15 September 1957 while bringing lighthouse staff to the island’s jetty.
WHY ?
Adverse weather caused the ship to strike the rocks as she attempted to unload.
WHO ?
The Captain and 76 other personnel were all rescued by a tugboat.
DEPTH OF WRECK
28 to 52 metres
ANGLE OF INCLINE OF THE SEABED
Around 40 to 45 degrees (very steep) – she seems to defy the forces of gravity.
HAZARDS
Depth of wreck, exposed location in adverse weather and strong currents.
WRECK CONDITION
Her steel framework is largely intact except damage to the bow section. Wooden sections have rotted away.
COMMON MARINE SPECIES
Large anemones, groupers, glassy sweepers and clownfish. Soft coral in orange, purple, red and other vibrant colours. Grey reef and hammerhead sharks often nearby.
SKILL LEVEL REQUIRED
Due to the depth, incline and currents this is definitely for advanced level divers.
NOTE
As this wreck is in a protected marine park please ensure you have the necessary permission.
WHY DIVE HERE ?
Seldom visited, unspoiled and largely intact wreck, rich in marine life.
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3. EL QAHER (HMS MYNGS)
WHAT ?
Originally a Zambezi class British destroyer, 1,730 tons and 111 metres long. Constructed at Vickers Armstrong’s Walker yard on the Tyne, she was launched in 1943, completed in 1944 and subsequently sold to the Egyptian navy in August 1956. She bristled with weapons including four 119 mm guns, six anti-aircraft guns, torpedoes and 70 depth charges and was capable of an impressive 36 knots.
WHERE ?
Close to the ship’s home port of Berenice 110km south of Marsa Alam. One of the few Red Sea shipwrecks clearly visible on Google Earth. Approx GPS 23 55.33″ N 35 29.35″ E (not accurate.)
WHEN ?
She sank on the morning of 16 May 1970
WHY ?
While at anchor just off shore she was the victim of a massive surprise air assault by Israeli Dassault Mirage aircraft (according to one account) or 12 Israeli F4 Phantoms (according to another account). Although she fought back and withstood several attacks, she eventually succumbed to overwhelming firepower. Her structure ripped open by cannon fire and missile strikes, and her deck ablaze she stood little chance and her bow was ripped open by the adjacent coral reef as she sank.
WHO ?
Originally the ship would have had a crew of around 200 but it’s not known how many were on the ship when it was attacked or how many casualties there were.
DEPTH OF WRECK
Part of the wreck is above surface to 21 metres maximum depth.
ANY UNSALVAGED CARGO ?
Spent cartridge cases from the anti-aircraft guns used during the short but desperate fight with the Israeli Mirage aircraft. They now litter an area of the reef close to the wreck. At least one and probably numerous 4.5 inch armed shells. There is one still in the breech of the stern gun. Other unused ordinance lies neatly on the top of one of the Bofors AA guns. However the RU ammo lockers are reportedly empty.
But don’t remove anything ! – it would be an illegal theft and also an insult to the dead and obviously moving ordinance could be dangerous. During my initial research on the wreck some years ago I discovered several items from the ship either recently sold or still for sale though I’m not suggesting that these were taken or sold illegally.
HAZARDS
Don’t touch any live ammunition – take the usual precautions for diving at a wreck.
WRECK CONDITION
Despite the immense damage inflicted by the aerial assault, the wreck is in surprisingly good condition with the bow section still held in place by the ship’s anchor. As the bow of the wreck is jammed on a rocky reef, it is possible to swim under the aft section which still remains perched several metres above the seabed.
Caught off guard in the attack, the ship’s internal watertight doors are still open and it is possible to swim through large sections of the wreck although as always great care should be taken.
COMMON MARINE SPECIES
Giant groupers, sponges and soft corals of vibrant colours – some attached to the ship’s giant propellers at 21 metres. The entire wreck has become a haven for numerous species of fish and you may well see jacks, napoleons, giant puffer fish, dense shoals of silversides and an occasional solitary barracuda.
DID YOU KNOW ?
In July 1947, the sailors of HMS Myngs were no doubt surprised to receive a visit from King George VI along with the Queen, Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth) and Princess Margaret. The ship had been moored in the Firth of Clyde alongside three giant battleships and two prestigious aircraft carriers of the Royal Fleet and the crew of the small destroyer were presumably not expecting to be the focus of such royal attention. (The Dundee Evening Telegraph, 22.07.47. p. 1)
Though not completed until June 1944, HMS Myngs saw action in the Second World War. She took part in Operation Goodwood against the German battleship Tirpitz anchored at Altenfjord in August 1944, saw further action against a German convoy in Norwegian waters in November 1944, which sank or grounded 10 of eleven enemy vessels and subsequently formed part of an escort screen for an Artic Russia supply convoy, JW63, in January 1945.
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate (with suitable supervision and guidance) or advanced.
NOTE
As this wreck is not far from an Egyptian naval base please ensure you have all the necessary permissions and paperwork for the dive.
Sep 2007 – 5.12 mins – 6+ likes – 4,900+ views
2. SS TURBO
WHAT ?
A British merchant ship designed to carry fuel and machinery. Built in 1912 for the Anglo Saxon Petroleum Company, she displaced 4,900 tons and was 374 feet long.
WHERE ?
The stern section lies approximately 24 km (15 miles) north of Ras Banas and 85 km south of Marsa Alam and only a short distance from the shoreline.
WHEN ?
The ship broke in two on 4 April 1943 and the bow and stern sections sank separately the following day.
WHY ?
The ship was attacked by twin engined Italian SM 79 Sparviero torpedo bombers on 20 August 1942, while on route from Haifa (Palestine) to Alexandria with fuel supplies for the British Mediterranean fleet. She survived a single torpedo hit but sustained serious hull damage. According to the Captain’s report
“The pump room and number three, four and five holds were flooded, the deck was buckled on the starboard side between 3 and 4 tanks and there was a large hole in the ship’s side some 40 feet fore and aft”.
The damage was so extensive that she could not be repaired so it was decided to tow her out to Karachi for use as a fuel storage hulk. However she broke up 24 km (15 miles) north of Ras Banas. The bow section was sunk by gunfire as it had become a menace to shipping while the stern section foundered off the reef.
WHO ?
As the ship was empty and was being towed to be used as a storage tank in Karachi, it’s unlikely there were many on board when she foundered. There are no reports of any casualties.
DEPTH OF WRECK
The vessel lies on its’ side with its’ starboard flank about 18 metres below the surface while its’ port side rests on a sandy bed some 28 metres deep and close to the reef face.
ANY UNSALVAGED CARGO/ITEMS ?
Apparently a surprising amount given that this ship was on its’ final voyage. This includes various equipment in the workshop including a lathe, oil cans and even a watering can.
WRECK CONDITION
Given that this ship was torpedoed and subsequently broke up and that the wreck is only the stern section, what remains is surprisingly intact. It’s possible with care to explore the huge engine room and to swim around three floors. Many of the handrails, gauges and valves are still intact.
COMMON MARINE SPECIES
Lionfish, Pixie Hawkfish, sponges and lots of colourful coral.
VISIBILITY
Not so good due to the sandy bottom.
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate (with proper guidance and care) or advanced. Perhaps not as difficult as some deeper wrecks but still demands great care – please consult with your diving guide.
WHY DIVE HERE ?
The colourful sea life on, in and around the wreck.
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Photo in the public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
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1. SS. HAMADA (AT ABO GHOSON)
WHAT ?
A coastal cargo vessel of 500 tons launched in 1965 with a length of 65 metres and draught of 4 metres. She was originally built for a subsidiary company of P&O but was subsequently sold on repeatedly to various Cypriot owners and finally in 1986 to a Maltese registered company.
WHERE ?
The wreck lies approximately 68km SSE of Marsa Alam, south of the Wadi El Gamal National Park entrance and approximately half a mile south of the phosphate terminal at Abu Ghoson (sometimes spelled Abu Ghusun or Abu Gosoon) at approximate GPS location 24.42N and 35.25E.
WHEN ?
On 28 June 1993. The vessel had left the port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and was enroute to Suez.
WHY ?
It depends which report you believe. One states the vessel caught fire and another that she struck a reef in bad weather. However divers claim to have discovered a charred mattress which, if true, suggests that fire might have been the cause.
DEPTH OF WRECK
Zero to 18 metres. The port side of the ship protrudes just above the water line at low tide. Parts of the wreck are so shallow that it is possible to snorkel them.
ANY UNSALVAGED CARGO/ITEMS ?
Almost everything on the ship had to be abandoned and now items ranging in size from telephones to a fork lift truck have become surprising homes for many types of marine life. Bags of polythene granules, a Saudi petro-chemical export, can still be seen in the cargo hold.
WRECK CONDITION
The vessel lies on its’ starboard side in two sections. Suitably qualified divers may be able to swim into parts of the wreck including the pilothouse, engine room and cargo hold. The most impressive and relatively intact features include the bridge, the rudder and stern propeller.
COMMON MARINE SPECIES
The wreck has attracted many types of coral and marine life including napoleons, lionfish, parrotfish, surgeon fish, butterfly fish and moray eels.
SKILL LEVEL
Normally the safer parts of the wreck are suitable for all diving levels, providing suitable precautions are taken and a suitably qualified guide is present. Please check on all safety details and for any updates with your guide.
WHY DIVE HERE ?
It’s a bewitching dive site and a beautiful reminder of the delicate harmony and balance between man and nature.
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LOOKING FOR A DIVING COURSE OR TRIP ?
Steven is a top local expert with an in depth knowledge of all the major Red Sea diving sites – email steven@marsaalam.com or contact him via WhatsApp on +20 1284332337.
When we last checked he was offering courses and trips running from the Mirage Moon Resort, just 2 km north of the small town and anchorage of Marsa Alam and 68 km south of the airport. This is one of the best locations as it boasts one of the area’s only natural lagoons and it is close to some of the best dive sites. This is because being further south than most it is nearer to the Red Sea’s least explored and still virgin reefs.
Steven offers scuba diving courses, guided scuba dives, snorkelling, kitesurfing and windsurfing – all starting from the same location.
If you are looking for an overall package you can’t do better than his unbeatable offer (but please check if it’s still available) of seven nights all inclusive at the Mirage Moon Resort plus ten dives for just 450 euro per person. And if you think that’s an amazing offer, Steven is also including a free return Luxor excursion ( see our Luxor excursions page ) and a free taxi return pick-up from Marsa Alam airport to any local hotel.
His scuba diving courses are all with multilingual instructors and include PADI, SSI or NRC. The most popular open water course takes four full days, including at least four pool dives and four open water dives and is priced at just 350 euro plus 30 euro for the certificate card. This course also includes the same unbeatable offer of a free day excursion to Luxor and a free taxi return pick-up from the airport to any local hotel.
Steven also offers more advanced courses and for those already qualified there are the options of a six dives package at 156 euro, an eight dives package at 210 euro or a ten dives package at 252 euro. Couples and families can share any of these.
When we last checked with Steven a standard full day boat trip with two dives was charged at 60 euro per person plus 33 euro for the guide, 5 euro environment tax and 7 euro if you want an on board lunch. Steven can also arrange special diving excursions at a small extra charge to
- Abu Dabbab (10 euro),
- the Abu Ghoson shipwreck (35 euro)
- Dolphin House (45 euro) and
- Elphinstone Reef (45 euro).
Early morning and night dives have a ten euro charge supplement. If you haven’t brought your own diving equipment, the rent for full diving equipment is charged at 25 euro per day or you can also rent individual items of equipment.
Photo: Derek Keats – CC BY 2.0 – via Flickr.
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