For the Sudan trips this year it’s going to be a mixture of wrecks and reefs. Whilst doing some research on what wrecks are available and diveable I was told of an unknown wreck that as far as we’re aware has not been dived. It was spotted some years ago at a depth of around 60 meters. It’s on a reef that although regularly dived on the south side doesn’t often get dived on the north as the conditions have to be right and all the growth and life are on the south side. If the conditions are in our favour I’d like to have a look for this wreck. I’ve done a chart search of the area and there is a possibility that it’s the SS Tuscarora. Lloyds have it listed as lost in the area and it’s stated that it was too deep to chart.
The SS Umbria
The SS Umbria is possibly the most famous wreck in Sudanese waters. The Umbria was a passenger cargo vessel with Italian owners and she was impounded by the British Royal Navy on the day that Italy declared war 10,06,1940 (It’s also said that she was scuttled 09,06 1940) .The Royal Navy suspected that she may be carrying ammunition and the ship was scuttled by her crew.
We know today that the SS Umbria is carrying a lot of ammunition and it’s said that if she explodes she will blow up the whole of Port Sudan.
The Umbria is an amazing dive and has been described as the best shipwreck in the world. She is also very shallow and can be dived quite easily on a single cylinder of air.
The Hassainain (Vela Luka)
The Hassainain, known locally as the Vela Luka (previous name) is a cargo vessel that was towed out to Wingate reef from the Harbour as the owners had not paid the harbour fees.
This is often overlooked as a dive site as it lies quite close to the Umbria. It’s upright on the seabed with the bow on the reef in around 30 meters.
The Blue Belt
Blue Belt was on it’s way to Port Sudan with a cargo of Toyota cars trucks and spares when it ran aground. There were 181 cars and 6 trucks and various trailers. The vessel was stuck on the reef and attempts at floating her off by lightening the load and throwing the cargo over the side were in vain. Three days later on December 6 1977 she slipped off the reef and sank.
Blue belt was a recreational dive for years until a further storm dislodged her and she is now much deeper at 70 meters on the bow with the stern hanging off the reef at just over 100 meters. Now the Blue Belt is a technical dive but recreational divers and divers undertaking decompression can see the various vehicles strewn on the reef.
For more information on any of the wrecks we will be diving during our Sudan 2016 Expedition please do not hesitate to contact us.
