Latest on the Thistlegorm from HEPCA

[Mark Powell]

Received from HEPCA

Dear All,

HEPCA would like to thank all diving operators and divers for your support of the ‘Saving the Red Sea Wrecks’ Campaign and our recent efforts to establish a mooring system on the SS Thistlegorm.

We are delighted that so many of you are using the new system and that this action is directly contributing to prolonging the life of this wreck. However, we are disappointed by reports that some safari boats and dive guides continue to moor on the wreck itself. Following the installation of the new mooring system, mooring on the wreck is strictly forbidden and violators will be prosecuted.

After a considerable consultation period with diving operators, boat captains, divers and other specialists, the current mooring system was chosen as the only viable solution. It is not possible at this location for the mooring ropes to reach any further to the surface without compromising safety. Any dive guides who cannot tie a rope at 22m should not be working as a dive guide. Any diver who cannot swim 5m from the rope to the wreck in a current should not be diving on this wreck. There cannot be any compromise.

HEPCA strongly opposed a wreck management plan suggested by the Government as it would have meant a substantial increase in fees and dramatic limitations on diver numbers. We trusted in the conscience and commitment of all Red Sea stakeholders to support our mooring plans as the only acceptable solution to sustaining the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm and our ability to continue diving her.

We urge all diving operators, safari boats and divers to comply with the new regulations for diving the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm and use the mooring system installed.

In total there are 32 mooring lines installed in pairs on each side of the wreck. Sadly some of the new mooring lines have already been cut and damaged due to misuse. The HEPCA team will revisit the SS Thistlegorm next week to attach new shorter lines to prevent skippers dragging the lines to the other side of the wreck.

A diagram can be seen at:

Save our wrecks campaign: Thistlegorm Mooring System

Any previous violations are being considered as due to a lack of awareness and knowledge. Following HEPCA’s distribution of this email, this will no longer be considered a credible excuse.

From 1st February 2008, in coordination with the Chamber of Diving and Watersports, the SSDM and other partners, HEPCA will report all violations and take legal action against all violators.

The next stage of the ‘Saving the Red Sea Wrecks’ Campaign is the installation of a mooring system on the Rosalie Moller, which is scheduled to take place in February 2008. HEPCA remains tolerant, as we understand that this is a long process of public awareness and education. We are constantly assessing both our current work and our future plans and any necessary developments will be undertaken as appropriate.

Thank you.

Amr Ali

Managing Director

HEPCA

[neilh]

You've got to feel for the folks at HEPCA. They're trying to preserve those wrecks in order to keep the diving business there alive and yet some of the very people they are working to help and support just don't seem to care

I'm not convinced that the culprits are acting out of lack of awareness, I hope they get caught and dealt with

[Rob Dobson]

Originally Posted by neilh

You've got to feel for the folks at HEPCA. They're trying to preserve those wrecks in order to keep the diving business there alive and yet some of the very people they are working to help and support just don't seem to care

I'm not convinced that the culprits are acting out of lack of awareness, I hope they get caught and dealt with

Pretty much what he said...

It's what happens when the philosophy of "God willing" meets the reality of wreck preservation. Why bother going to the effort of using purpose built moorings when if God wills for the wreck to be damaged then it will be damaged...?

I fear HEPCA have their work cut out instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in a culture famous for it's lack of personal responsibility (when was the last time you saw an Egyptian Taxi driver use a seat belt, let alone headlights, breaks.... "I will crash the car if God wills it".).

[Ahmed Adly]

Amr Ali is the best HEPCA leader we have had so far!
His ability to lead high profile government people is un canny! Sometimes, I think he must have something on everyone or something. But whatever the fule of his charm, he has truly led the way for a enviromentaly sustainable diving industry
3 Cheers for Amr Ali! 3 cheers for HEPCA!

[rustferret]

Thanks for the update Mark. Lets hope this works.

Ruastferret

[Paulus]

I was on the Thistlegorm at new year diving from the "Sky K" speed boat.

It was very choppy and it took the crew an eternity to finally get moored. There were not many other boats there, maybe 5 in total. I noticed that our boat was moored to a rope that was coming from the opposite side of the Thistlegorm, so causing it it to chaffe. I also noted more than one boat had tied directly onto the wreck. It was difficult to tell how many of the provided mooring points were being used correctly. I got the impression that not many were.

There was not much current at depth but I think that the chaotic surface conditions were making it difficult for the boats to hold station during the mooring. maybe the lucky chaps going in to tie onto something were just reverting to what they know best given that the boats were all over the show.
The boat alongside us kept trying to put its bows on our dive deck!!

There is defnitely a lot more publicity and enforcement required fo the new system to work.

Paul

[Simon Lamb]

Must admit I havent been paying attention, so this is the first I've heard of alternative mooring at Thistlegorm.

What an outstanding achievement. Congratulations to HEPCA and I sincerely hope that it's enforced, either by HEPCA themselves, or assisted in more, urm, alternative methods?, by the responsible operators, guides and divers.

I remember a visit many moons ago when we all heard a creaking crack and looked up to see one of the cranes(?) being pulled off the wreck. Our guide at the time swam over to it and cut the line of the asshole that had tied in to the tip of the arm.

[weazelz]

Originally Posted by Mark Powell

The next stage of the ‘Saving the Red Sea Wrecks’ Campaign is the installation of a mooring system on the Rosalie Moller, which is scheduled to take place in February 2008

does anyone have dates for this & know whether the wreck wil be closed for the work?

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by Mark Powell
The next stage of the ‘Saving the Red Sea Wrecks’ Campaign is the installation of a mooring system on the Rosalie Moller, which is scheduled to take place in February 2008

Originally Posted by weazelz

does anyone have dates for this & know whether the wreck wil be closed for the work?

Knowing our luck it will be the week we are there.

[weazelz]

Originally Posted by TonyD

Knowing our luck it will be the week we are there.

that's what I was thinking too