Salem Express is located on the ground at a depth of 33 meters near the Egyptian city of Safaga. Diving on the ship, it is impossible to forget the scale of the tragedy has occurred here. Many dive guides never dive in this place, considering it a mass grave.
On the other hand, almost every wreck - is anyone's shattered hopes and lives perished. No one on this occasion does not refuse to dive on Carnatic Wreck (Abu Nuhas), killing 30 people. Is the number of deaths determining the scale of tragedy?
But Salem Express really has oppressive aura. And you can try to relax, admiring the huge mast, but then look unexpectedly falls into a baby carriage, almost overgrown, or a tricycle - and the heart is compressed from melancholy and sympathy for the finder is its own end to hundreds of people.
The left side of the ship is at a depth of 10 m, and the ship is clearly visible from the surface of water. The bottom of the ship is covered with the remains of structures that covered the upper deck from the sun.
Sailing along the deck, see the closed doors of the living quarters, glasses places available. In the center of the deck - 2 large tubes with the letters «S», decorated with laurel wreaths of mourning. These letters are likely to relate to the original name of the ship, «Fred Scamaroni». Beneath them on the bottom you can see 4 not used lifeboats. Next to them you can swim under the ship and be at 2 large screws, overgrown with corals and sponges.
The interior of the automotive deck can be accessed through a large square openings, made by rescuers to retrieve the bodies. Hundreds of suitcases, toys, litter .. Do not go into these corridors. As the English say, «take only memories, leave nothing but bubbles!»
GPS - coordinates:
Width 26° 38.43' Height 34° 3.76'
History:
Launched in 1976, the French built ship had a length of 100.3 meters and a width of 18.1 m. It has changed several owners and several names before in 1988 was called "Salem Express" ... read more
Launched in 1976, the French built ship had a length of 100.3 meters and a width of 18.1 m. It has changed several owners and several names before in 1988 was called "Salem Express" and began to service the route Safaga-Jeddah, Safaga. This was the ferry-ship with horizontal loading and unloading. It subsequently played a sinister role in his fate.
Captain of the ship - Hassan Moro - Egyptian Naval Academy graduate, an experienced sailor, who knew the route. So good that he was the only one of the captains of the route, regularly sailed between the mainland and the reef Hindman (Hyndman Reef).
Risky maneuver saves approximately two hours of progress compared to the usual way to the north of Panorama Reef, without going into shallow water.
December 15, 1991, Salem Express went into its last voyage from the port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. By nightfall the weather conditions have deteriorated sharply, strong winds drove huge waves. Many of the pilgrims, returning from a trip to the holy city of Mecca for Muslims, and bought the cheapest tickets - on the deck, but not in the cabin.
Now they have suffered from cold and wind, and the captain has deviated from its usual path. He led the ship closer to shore, trying to hide from the wind. Around midnight, Salem Express at full speed and ran into a reef.
Receiving hole in the starboard, the ship quickly began to collect water. Hitting the reef opened a huge hatch car deck, and there also gushed water.
Within 20 minutes after hitting the huge ship was lying on the floor at a depth of 32 m. It all happened so quickly that the team did not have time to put a lifeboat, and hundreds of people remained indoors.
Several tiny boats stood at anchor at the reef and did not dare to try to save anyone in the raging waters. Fortunately for the trapped on the surface of the water, the current was toward the coast.
And almost all the survivors - 180 people - alone, without outside help could reach the shore and go at it. Captain Moro was killed along with his ship. According to official figures, the number of deaths - 470 people.
Unofficial sources referred to 1600 dead, but this figure is in no way confirmed.
Several days of operation was to retrieve bodies from the interior. But with the approach to the most profound and far-positioned compartments, it was becoming more dangerous, until it was stopped. Egyptian Navy for some time guarding the place of the tragedy of the penetration of marauders.
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Rating - 5 Expedition date - 05.07.2009 Рэк впечатляет своими размерами, и ореолом своей колоссальной трагедии 2002 года. Более полусотни жертв покоится за обшивкой корпуса - большой подводный погост, беспокоить который никому не приходит в... View all
Rating - 4 Expedition date - 24.05.2011 Рэк прекрасно виден даже в не очень удачную погоду, а от течения укрывает корпус корабля. Погружение прекрасно подходит для всех уровней сертификации. View all
В пейзажной съемке часто используют, как одну из составляющих - причаленную лодку.
Но, лодки бывают "причаленными" по-разному....
На фото. Спасательные лодки парома "Salem Express"
Пассажирский паром «Salem Express» был построен в 1966 году.
15 декабря 1991 г. паром возвращался в Сафагу с поломниками на борту. Капитан хорошо знал рифы близ Сафаги и решил "срезать" путь. К сожалению, утром 15 декабря 1991 г. на расстоянии 11 км от порта Сафаги, натолкнувшись на западную часть кораллового рифа Hyndman паром "Salem Express" затонул.
Точное количество погибших неизвестно до сих пор. Количество погибших в этой катастрофе колеблится от 700 до 1100 человек. Спастись удалось только 180 пассажирам.
Длина судна - 110 метров, водоизмещение – 1.105 т.
Паром находится на глубине от 10 до 32 метров. Он лежит правым бортом на основании рифа носом с общим уклоном 15° от носа к корме
Хочу добавить, что надстройка хорошо освещается солнцем в разгар лета - в июне-июле. В остальные месяцы хорошо освещено днище судна и борта, а самую интересную часть в сумраке фотографировать сложно.
