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Received that today from HEPCA.
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Diving on Hurghadas only artificial reef is now safer and more accessible than before thanks to a unique collaboration between GUE Egypt (Global Underwater Explorers), Colona Divers and HEPCA. This October, a combined diving team installed new moorings on the 51m wreck of the Hebat Allah that lies upright on a flat sandy seabed at 45m close to Abu Ramada Island.
The aim of the new moorings is firstly to improve safe diving conditions at the wreck and to secure it for the future. The Hebat Allah project also recognises the importance of this artificial reef as a valuable marine research site, offering a unique opportunity to monitor reef growth at depths greater than 35m from a baseline of her sinking five years ago.
An initial assessment of marine life and coral presence was undertaken in October and recorded some extensive fish life including groupers, lionfish, many schooling fish and also a turtle. There were several coral species, including some hard corals, but their current poor coverage is likely to be due to both the depth of the wreck and also the fact that it lies some distance away from an established coral reef.
Over the coming years, HEPCA and GUE Egypt divers, with the support of the Colona Divers team, have pledged to dive the Hebat Allah regularly to continuously survey and document the developing coral growth and marine life, as well as monitor the overall condition of the wreck.
It is hoped that with regular maintenance to ensure the constant presence of the mooring lines (previous lines have been lost due to fishing activity and incorrect mooring practices), this project will maximise the Hebat Allahs potential, not only as a marine research subject, but also as a safe and exciting technical diving site.
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Diving on Hurghadas only artificial reef is now safer and more accessible than before thanks to a unique collaboration between GUE Egypt (Global Underwater Explorers), Colona Divers and HEPCA. This October, a combined diving team installed new moorings on the 51m wreck of the Hebat Allah that lies upright on a flat sandy seabed at 45m close to Abu Ramada Island.
The aim of the new moorings is firstly to improve safe diving conditions at the wreck and to secure it for the future. The Hebat Allah project also recognises the importance of this artificial reef as a valuable marine research site, offering a unique opportunity to monitor reef growth at depths greater than 35m from a baseline of her sinking five years ago.
An initial assessment of marine life and coral presence was undertaken in October and recorded some extensive fish life including groupers, lionfish, many schooling fish and also a turtle. There were several coral species, including some hard corals, but their current poor coverage is likely to be due to both the depth of the wreck and also the fact that it lies some distance away from an established coral reef.
Over the coming years, HEPCA and GUE Egypt divers, with the support of the Colona Divers team, have pledged to dive the Hebat Allah regularly to continuously survey and document the developing coral growth and marine life, as well as monitor the overall condition of the wreck.
It is hoped that with regular maintenance to ensure the constant presence of the mooring lines (previous lines have been lost due to fishing activity and incorrect mooring practices), this project will maximise the Hebat Allahs potential, not only as a marine research subject, but also as a safe and exciting technical diving site.
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