News
Aqaba: The Scuttling of a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar Plane
On Monday 26th August I had the opportunity to join other journalists from around Europe and the world as The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) scuttled a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar to create a new artificial reef in the waters of the Red Sea.
The day started with an 8.30am pick up from the hotel in Aqaba for a short drive to the marina. We would then board a boat which took us to the scuttling event a short 15 minute boat journey away. Here we got our first glimpse of the large aircraft gleaming white under the morning sun. While there was a ceremony and crowds on the nearby pier we had the opportunity to witness the scuttling from the comfort of the boat with the added bonus of refreshments onboard.
The Tristar was scuttled next to the King Abdullah Reef dive site, adjacent to the Aqaba Container Terminal. Initially the whole process started slowly as care was taken to ensure it would sink evenly before it’s final destination on the sea floor. The proposed site is a sloping sandy bottom where the plan was for the nose of the plane to sit in water around 15 metres deep while the tail end sloped down to around 28 metres.
As the floats were slowly removed from underneath the plane there was a slight concern from a few of us onboard when the left wing descended first. The right wing raised above the water line, seemingly in a desperate bid to cling to life on land a little longer.
I’m sure this was just an onlooker’s concern and the people involved in the scuttling were more than comfortable with the way things were going. Sure enough, after a slow start to proceedings and 2 hours or so since we first arrived at the site, the sinking process took a rapid turn and soon enough the whole of the Tristar was disappearing under the surface.
As the tip of the tail fin of this huge Lockheed Tristar plane disappeared. We were treated to the full repertoire of the boat symphony of the onlooking boats. The bellowing of the horns and sirens through the air changed what was up until that point a strangely calm event. Cannons of water sprayed from the safety tug boats as the celebration was in full swing.
I was already looking forward to getting chance to dive this new unique dive site and see what adventures await divers looking for a new experience in the Red Sea.
Visit www.aqaba.jo for more information.
Whether freediving or diving – everyone cuts a great figure in the new camouflage suits from DYNAMICNORD.
Thanks to the specially designed camouflage pattern in beautiful colours, the new two-piece
SFS-3 and SFS-5 apnea suits are perfect for freediving. The design gives freedivers the chance to observe underwater creatures from a shorter distance.
Due to the robust and high-quality Yamamoto neoprene and high-quality workmanship, the SFS-3 and SFS-5 are also suitable for scuba diving or other water sports.
As the names suggest, the suits are available in 3 or 5mm neoprene thickness. A combination of high-quality Yamamoto #39/45 Limestone neoprene is used. This material is characterised by its special lightness and flexibility. The suits are extremely flexible and comfortable to wear while providing maximum thermal insulation. The outer flex lamination supports the ultra 4-way stretch. Thanks to the open cells, the suits fit like a second skin.
The double-clip beaver tail is a convenient system for donning and doffing. Reinforced knees and rear ensure the necessary robustness. The vented hood allows excess air to escape.
The MC-15 freediving mask and SC-10 freediving snorkel with camouflage pattern as well as the AF-70 freediving fins are available in matching colours.
The camouflage SFS-3 and SFS-5 apnea suits are now available from DYNAMICNORD dealers in great colours and unisex sizes.
SFS-3
Recommended sales price: £264.00
Sizes unisex: S-2XL
Colours: camo/blue, camo/green
SFS-5
Recommended sales price: £353.00
Sizes unisex: S-2XL
Colours: camo/blue, camo/green
DYNAMICNORD – Your Outdoor Companion.
The GO Diving Show – the only consumer dive and travel show in the UK – returns to the NAEC Stoneleigh on 1-2 March 2025, just in time to kick off the new season, and early bird 2-for-1 tickets are now available, representing fantastic value for money.
Buy your ticket before 31 January 2025 for £17.50, and get your buddy, your spouse or your best friend in with you absolutely free! Or why not bring that non-diving mate along so they can see all of the wonders of the underwater world they are missing out on!
Effectively, the 2-for-1 offer equates to each ticket being just £8.75. And as always, this includes complimentary parking. And under-16s go free of charge, so bring the kids along for a fabulous family day out!
The Main Stage headline presenter is TV star, author and adventurer Steve Backshall, making a welcome return to the GO Diving Show after a few years away. He’ll be joined by NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut and Head of Scientific Research at DEEP Dawn Kernagis, fellow TV presenter, author and perennial favourite Monty Halls, and the dynamic duo of explorers Rannva Joermundsson and Maria Bollerup, who will be talking about their recent Expedition Buteng in Indonesia.
The dedicated UK Stage, Tech Stage, Photo Stage and Inspiration Stage are filling up with some familiar faces and a host of fresh speakers, and the show floor is getting fill to capacity with hundreds of exhibitors, including tour operators, resorts, dive centres, liveaboards, tourist boards, training agencies, manufacturers, retailers, and the ever-popular British Isles Experience.
You can take advantage of the Go Diving Show 2-for-1 ticket deal here.
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