The Lara began life as the 7,103 GRT refrigerated cargo ship Nopal Trader launched 11 September 1956
In November 1982, the Lara was southbound through the Straits of Tiran and ran hard aground on the northern side of Jackson Reef where she still remains today. It has been long suspected that the ship was intentionally grounded as part of an insurance scam, however, this has never been proven. The ship was declared a constructive total loss and remained aground on the reef ever since. There are rumours that someone remained onboard the ship for the next 2 years leading to even more rumours of drug smuggling.
In the mid-1990′s there were some salvage efforts conducted which resulted in much of the external hull plating being removed, and much of the wreck being cut off and allowed to drop into deep water. As a result, what now lies atop Jackson Reef is a skeleton of the former ship.
Learn more about diving The Lara at: http://dive.im/TheLara
