Hayah - The red sea community project

Hayah, meaning ‘Life’ in Arabic, is HEPCA’s most ambitious environmental project yet. The project was launched on Earth Day, April 22nd 2008; the largest annual environmental event that is celebrated simultaneously around the globe by more than half a billion people.

The aim of Hayah is to involve all sections of the Red Sea community working towards the following objectives:

1. Raising awareness

Raising environmental awareness of multiple stakeholders in our Red Sea community (e.g. diving and water sport operators, hotels, schools, tourists, tour operators / travel agents and local communities / organisations).

2. Education and responsibility

Educating all stakeholders in the importance of individual and collective responsibility for our environment and providing ideas, methods and support for each and every one of us to make a difference.

3. Active participation

Encouraging all stakeholders in environmental citizenship and assisting them in positive actions to help ensure the overall sustainability of our Red Sea environment (on land and water).

Hayah was launched on Earth Day with a series of educational and clean-up events. The project is not a one-off, one-day event however. A full program of environmental actions, ongoing projects, awareness materials and resources will be rolled out over the coming months. More information on this exciting community project will be released soon including a complete micro site dedicated to Hayah.

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Sharm El-Chic

Barefoot all day and drunk all night. Countless people could, and generally do, describe their seaside vacation in Sharm El-Sheikh this way. Although drunken debauchery seems to take center stage at this haven for coastal crowds, the best thing about Sharm is the fact that you can find almost anything that suits your mood at any time of the day or night.

Sharm El-Sheikh’s rapid ascent into the top tier of coastal holiday destinations has brought with it some brilliant additions, but also the less appealing trappings of any tourist boomtown. On the plus side, the city is now by far the best place to party within 1,000 kilometers of Cairo.

Throngs of wealthy tourists have also lifted the standards of the local hospitality scene. When it comes to hotels, restaurants, recreation and service standards, Sharm El-Sheikh is now truly world class — something that cannot be said of any other Egyptian tourist town. Sharm is now more Las Vegas than Goa: Those seeking a mellow Sinai vacation have migrated north in search of what once was in places like Dahab and Ras Abu Ghalum. Not to worry though, the great thing about Sharm is you can find anything to suit your fancy and budget.

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Spectacular diving on the wreck of the El Arish El Tor, Safaga

Captain Karmi starts the two outboards and the speed boat ‘Mimi’ roars to life. It takes only a few minutes until we reach the site. A back roll gets us into the water where we descend on the line.

All I can see in the beginning is blue water and a school of fusilier but as I continue down, at 17 metres we reach the wreck. She came to rest on her starboard side and we start our dive right at the bow. The name ‘El Arish El Tor’ is still legible and the anchor chain is covered with soft corals.

We dive past what has once been the bridge, descend further to 35 metres and shine our torches beneath the vessel. The orange rescue boats are tucked underneath and life vests are hanging all over the place. It’s an eerie scene, but fortunately the sinking of this ship did not cost any lives.
On the chimney we discover the logo of the Sayed Nasr lines and I spot a blue spotted sting ray that has made its home here while a very large school of soldier fish attempt to hide in the wreck.
We swim through what once was a shaded seating area. Now only metal frames and the roof of corrugated metal are left; fire sponges and purple fan coral give it new life. As we round the stern the two enormous propellers are silhouetted against the surface, covered with huge soft corals and I stop to take a few pictures. On our way back we encounter thousands (!) of yellow tail barracudas that are forming an actual layer of fish over the top of the wreck, sweeping back and forth as some large mackerels shoot through them in pursuit.

It’s time to ascend and during our safety stop we watch a group of Indian mackerels fishing for plankton, their mouths wide open as they swim in synchronised splendour. As we finally break the surface the captain is ready to help us with our kit and during the swift ride back we start to discuss all the things we’ve see on this dive! We continue recalling more and more details all the way through the beautifully cooked BBQ at the Safaga Beach Club restaurant until it’s time for our next dive.

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The Salem Express - one of the largest wrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea

The Salem Express is one of the most controversial wreck dives in the Red Sea due to the tragic loss of life which occurred when she sank shortly after midnight on December 15th 1991.

Launched as Fred Scamaroni in 1966 the roll-on, roll-off ferry for vehicles and passengers was built in the French shipyards of La Seyne in 1964. Her name was changed several times to the Nuits Saint George, Lord Sinai, Al Tahara until she finally became the Salem Express in 1988.

The Salem was packed with passengers returning from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, bound for the port of Safaga, when she struck one of the banks of coral that just break the surface south of Hyndman Reef, off Safaga in the Egyptian Red Sea. All rescue actions failed due to the stormy weather that night.

Diving the Salem Express - a unique experience

The Salem Express is one of the largest wrecks in the Egyptian Red Sea. Her port side is just 12 metres from the surface with her starboard side lying on the seabed at a maximum depth of 30 metres. From the surface you can easily make out the port-side hull of the Salem. The Salem is worth two or three dives in a row to explore her to the fullest.