Latest news form Sharm el Sheikh

[mania]

For all of you planning to go to Sharm in the nearest future.
I just came back from there and - as many other divers - took small part in the rescue mission. The whole area from Naama Bay up to Tiran is closed for all kinds of sea tourisms - including diving. This is the area of search and recovery mission on one hand and on the other (because of the obvious reasons) it attracted sharks - so it may be quite dangerous (for the fist time in my life I saw the whale shark - I hope that's what it's called in Eenglish). Divers are allowed to dive only in Ras Mohammed and in the southern part of Sharm. The latest gossips are that this can last even for several months!!!!!
But as I wrote these are only gossips.

Anyway, the accident - becuse I have no doubts it was a simple plane crush - didn't influence everyday life of tourists - except some problems at the Sharm airport. Now the place is crowded with Russians (they have their Christmas on 7th Jan). Weather - Sunday it was 26 Centigrades. Sea temperature - up to 24. But it may be windy and then it's really cold.
And - no currents at Thistlegorm - can you believe it?
Mania

 

[chippy]

The latest gossips are that this can last even for several months!!!!!

I'm off to Sharm on 8th Feb for a week, staying at the Hilton Sharks Bay - Do you think the diving is likely to be back on the menu by then?

 

[mania]

That's something I have no idea right now. The plane crashed close to the Shark's Bay. But I'm in constant contact with shar so as soon as I know more (or for how long this part of Red Sea would be closed) I'll let you know.
Mania

 

[divebunnie]

Well what can I say? I could not believe my ears when I heard about the crash on Saturday, my heart goes out to those who have lost friends and family. And to those with the sorry task of taking part in the search and rescue missions.

As for Sharm, I imagine everyone is still in shock.

Until a couple of weeks ago, I was meant to be out there right now, leaving on the usual sunday flight from the UK yesterday, so that is wierd, though I am sure I'm not alone there.

Well, like I said, I am thinking of everyone out there and in France.

 

[Paulus Magnus]

Why would a plankton eating shark (Whale Shark) be interested in a plane during the off-season in Sharm? Why would any shark be interested in a plane full of bodies at 800m to 1000m (3000') when very little debris has actually been found? Isn't this area populated by reef sharks anyhow and didn't this crash take place 15Km offshore?

I've heard some of the ghoulish stories reported in the press but the facts don't add up based on some of the informed divers opinions I've read that work in that area.

 

[mania]

First of all as I wrote I'm not sure whether the big shark I saw is exactly called whale shark - I'm not a specialist on sharks so I could be mistaken. Second - the plane itself is at the depth of around 400 meters - not 1000 meters as you wrote (this is a probable depth of the recorders - black box). Third - the debris that was already found - I mean body parts - have significant signs of being bitten by animals - including sharks - this is why on saturday evening all divers were stoped from diving. Fourth - the crash took place closer than 15 km from the shore - the debris and parts of the plane were (on the first day) found around 4 miles from the shore. On Sunday 4th Jan you could already find them on the hotel beaches in the Shark's Bayand as far as Ras Mohammed.
Regards
Mania

 

[mania]

Good letest news for divers - Tiran is opened for diving
Mania

 

[DutchDown]

Thanks for the update, Mania. Three friends and I are heading to Sharm in 11 days.

Phil

 

[Phish-phood]

Thanks for the news, heading there in six days with some friends.

 

[mania]

All the dive sites - Tiran and the Gardens are opened. I just checked it with Sharm. I envy you going there within few days!!! Can u take an extra bag and pack me in? I'm nither big nor heavy....
Just kidding
Mania