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United States PacificThis most beautiful scenic bay on the Northwest side of the Island of Maui, Hawaii is a true snorkelers paradise. Sheltered from the trade winds by a south facing cliff wall it finds many people visiting, walking down through a virtual tropical forest, daily to enjoy this quite "off the beaten path" rocky bay. But what makes it so special is its marine life and lightly submerged reef that can be clearly seen driving passed. It is an awesome healthy yellow reef perhaps 5 to 10 feet deep with every type of hawaiian fish you can think of. One day a person above the bay in one of the car turn off areas pointed out a fish school ball to me that I would of just thought of as a dark area in the water. Snorkeled out to it and got some really great digital pictures.
Beautiful part of the Hawaiian Islands.
more info about Honaloa Bay, Maui, Hawaii including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaHouse Reef
more info about Shagra Bay including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaThe Million Hope Wreck
Location:
28 03' 42" N, 34 26' 40"E. Southern Gulf of Aqaba on east coast of Sinai Peninsular
Access:
Day boat from Sharm El Sheikh
Minimum Depth to Wreck
0m (Superstructure above water level)
Maximum Depth to Seabed:
22m (at stern)
Average Visibility:
20-25m
The Ship
Built in Japan, as a Bulk Carrier with additional facilities for transporting vehicles, the Million Hope was launched as the "Ryusei Maru" in 1972. She was a very large ship - displacing 26,181 grt and measuring 174.6m x 24.8m with a draught of 10m. Her bridge castle is located at the stern behind 5 cargo holds - in between which are four massive cranes towering high above the decks. The ship was powered by two 6 Cylinder diesel engines capable of producing 11,600 bhp and a top speed of 17 knots.
The ship had several names during her lifetime before being purchased by the Aksonas Shipping Co Ltd of Limassol, Cyprus for 136 million in 1996. It was at this time she was finally renamed "Million Hope" and promptly insured for 41 Million. Only six weeks later, she became a constructive total loss.
The Loss of the Million Hope
Loaded with a 26,000 ton cargo of Potash and Phosphates, the Million Hope sailed from Jordan's only port of Aqaba on 19 June 1996 - destination Taiwan. Visibility, however, quickly deteriorated and early on 20 June the vessel struck the inshore Reef near Nabq - on the western shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, approx. 3 miles north of Sharm El Sheikh.
Lloyds List dated 24 June 1996 carried the following item under "Casualty Report:"
"MILLION HOPE "(Cyprus) Jun 21: Egyptian Maritime Officials said yesterday they were concerned about possible leakage of about 23,000 tons of phosphate and potassium plus 700 tons of fuel from the bulk carrier Million Hope which sank off Egypts Sinai Peninsular, Cairo radio reported. All 25 members of the crew ere rescued by Egyptian naval vessels and other vessels in an operation that lasted more than 20 hours. The vessel, on voyage from Jordan to Taiwan, was ripped open by coral reefs near Egypts Sharm El-Sheikh resort. The vessels mainly Filipino crew huddled in the stern and refused to abandon ship until it became clear the vessel would sink, Cairo radio said. Some of the crew accused the vessels master of failing to follow the areas prescribed navigation routes and of maintaining speed despite poor visibility."
The cargo actually comprised 15,000 tons of Potash and 11,000 tons of phosphate rock and the big concern was that this would slowly dissolve in seawater - producing an algae-like film that would blot out essential sunlight from all adjacent reefs. Major Salvage companies were, therefore, invited to tender for the salvage of this cargo which was separately valued at 1.3 million. This operation was successfully carried out.
With much of her superstructure still out of the water, the Million Hope can be seen from several miles away. She is basically upright but with a pronounced list to port - i.e. away from the Reef. Her entire starboard side rests against the reef on which she foundered and her keel lies along the seabed at the base of that reef at between 19 - 24m. Her decks are underwater but not the focsle. Apart from fairly superficial damage, the vessel is completely intact - with no evidence of salvage.
more info about Million Hope Nabq Sharm El Sheikh including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Philippines Visayan Seaperfect for macro fotography
more info about Negros Occidental, Sipalay including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaVery quiet dive site with sandy bottom
more info about Ras Gohzlani - Ras Mohammed National Park - Sharm el Sheikh including maps, reviews, and ratings...
DenmarkBillede taget på dyk ved gaskoralerne ved Hirseholmene
more info about Hirseholmene including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaRelaxing dive site with sandy bottom max depth 20mt, on the drop off vertical wall undefined depth, 3 big pinnacoles that appears one temple.
more info about Temple - Sharm El Sheikh including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Turkey Mediterranean SeaWall dive shaded by the cliff lots of colour for the Med
more info about Wall Dive including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Netherlands Antilles Caribbean SeaGot extra close with my Sea & Sea 2G. Used an additional wet close-up macro lens
more info about Barri Reef - Bonaire including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Cayman islands Caribbean SeaWhite shoe shrimp, found in Touch-me-not Sponges
more info about Valley of the Dolls including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Maldives Indian OceanHouse Reef at Six Senses Laamu, a 5 star resort in the Laamu Atoll
more info about Six Senses Laamu House Reef including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Croatia Mediterranean SeaRealy nice place for diving
more info about Zablače diving center including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaThe Tentacled flathead (Papilloculiceps longiceps) or Crocodilefish is a member of the order Scorpaeniformes, an order which also includes the scorpionfishes and stonefishes. It is found in the Western Indian Ocean; the Red Sea.
more info about Marsa Shagra, Shagra Bay including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Croatia Mediterranean SeaSuper place for diving , great crew in center
more info about Issa diving center including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Netherlands Antilles Caribbean SeaSee the Peterson Shrimp. Who know what his fellow small cleaner shrimp are occupying the anemonie?
more info about Barri Reff - Bonaire including maps, reviews, and ratings...
United States Caribbean SeaThis pod of Dolphins came up on us from behind, gave us a quick look and kept going.
more info about Stragglers, St. Thomas USVI including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Egypt Red SeaReef coast and satellite reef separed by sandy street
more info about Jackfish Alley Ras Mohammed National Park including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Maldives Indian OceanThundi House Reef, L.Gan Laamu Atoll. Small 23 room hotel on local island- no alcohol. Easy beach access, mediocre visibility but decent corals and decent macro (robust ghost pipefish) especially in Sept/Oct
more info about Thundi Reef including maps, reviews, and ratings...
United States Caribbean SeaInvisibles Dive Site - find the yellow rock and just walk into the beautiful turquoise paradise.
more info about Bonaire including maps, reviews, and ratings...
Cayman islands Caribbean SeaI love to capture Flamingo Tongues while in the Caymans
more info about Little Tunnels including maps, reviews, and ratings...