News
C-130 Hercules sunk in Aqaba to create new artificial reef
A C-130 Hercules military aircraft has been scuttled off Aqaba, Jordan to create a new artificial reef for divers in the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea.
The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, in cooperation with the Royal Jordanian Navy and the Aqaba Port Corporation, sank the plane today (November 16, 2017) approximately 300m off the coast.
The C-130 Hercules now lies at a depth of around 17m. Over time, it will become an artificial reef that attracts fish, coral and other marine species as well as divers from all over the world. The C-130 Hercules’s proximity to the M42 Duster tank wreck also makes it a premiere dive location in the Gulf of Aqaba.
Before the sinking, Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority removed all fuel, oil, paint and hazardous materials from the aircraft in order to comply with environmental best practice. The aircraft was towed from the Royal Jordanian Air Force’s headquarters in Amman to Aqaba, to be repurposed for its new life as an artificial reef.
“The entire marine ecosystem benefits from creating an artificial reef like the C-130 Hercules,” said H.E. Mr. Sharhabeel Madi Commissioner of Tourism and Economic Affairs. “Whenever we are able to add a new structure like this, the whole area benefits from the added habitat and species diversity.”
A Scubaverse contributor attended today’s historic event alongside international media and dive operators so check back next week for more on this story.
Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.
Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”
Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”
To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.
Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.
MORE INFORMATION
Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com
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