New moorings and air-escape outlets are being installed by Red Sea NGO the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA).
This follows concerns about damage done to the Thistlegorm through careless dive-boat mooring, and by the accumulation of expelled diver air inside the wreck.
The HEPCA moorings and dive team is working with volunteer divers from the Red Sea community on the project. Among these is Blue O Two from its liveaboard Blue Fin, while Red Sea Explorers on the liveaboard Tala is supplying technical and logistical support and a team of safety divers.
The operation is expected to be complete by 17 December, depending on weather conditions. No leisure diving is being allowed on the wreck until this time.
The project is part of the Saving the Red Sea Wrecks Campaign, launched by HEPCA at the Dive 2008 show at the NEC in October. The Rosalie Moller and other Red Sea wrecks under threat are due to receive similar treatment.
The hope is to stop further damage and encourage all Red Sea dive operators and divers to be more environmentally aware.
Footage of the work being carried out on Thistlegorm can be seen by clicking here
Drilling for Conservation
|
