| The Umbria Wreck: An Italian cargo ship built in 1912 and sunk on 9 June 1940 (the day before Italy joined World War II) on her way to East Africa to supply the Italian army with supplies including 350,000 bombs. The reason for her sinking is not certain although most believe that she was scuttled by her captain when she was impounded by the British in Port Sudan. The Umbria wreck now sits on her port side in 35m of water on the Wingate reef, just outside of Port Sudan. The unexploded bombs are still on the wreck. The wreck is 150 metres long.
She is in a well preserved condition and is a truly world class wreck dive, worth the trip to Sudan alone. Visibility averages about 20m, encrusting coral has covered the steel structure and schools of fish like snapper and fusiliers are everywhere. It is possible to penetrate the wreck into certain areas like the engine room, the bakery and the holds. Apart from the rows of bombs and floor littered wine bottles in the holds divers can also see Fiat cars. The rudder and propellers at the stern make for good photo opportunities.
The relatively shallow depth means that divers can have decent bottom time and can get right around the wreck in one dive. But the Umbria deserves more time than that and many liveaboard itineraries include several dives here.
Blue Belt Wreck: Also known as the Toyota wreck is located 50 nautical miles north of Port Sudan at Sha'ab Suedi, a 7 mile long reef. The Blue Belt was a cargo ship that sank in December 1977. While sailing from Jeddah to Port Sudan she hit Sha'ab Suedi reef, an area that the captain should have known to avoid. Some say that the sinking was insurance fraud, some say that the crewwere smuggling but no one knows for sure.
She now lies upside down in 70m of water although the shallowest part is just 10m from the surface. She was carrying a cargo of motor vehicles and spares and after she sank an attempt was made to raise her by removing the cargo. That is why most of the wrecks interest is on the outside scattered around the upturned hull. Divers can swim around cars, tractors and trucks that have become encrusted with corals and sponges and are now home to a myriad of fish life. Cars are still intact with lights and tyres and steering wheels. It is also possible to swim through the inside of the ships hull from a hole at 36m to an exit at the bow although there is less to see inside than outside. Tiger sharks have been seen here.
Precontinent II: Located at Shaab Rumi is the famous Jaques Cousteau habitation project that was constructed in 1963 and was the home to eight divers. The divers lived and worked in the 10m deep underwater village for one month gathering scientific data and shooting a movie called "Le Monde san soleil" (the World without sun). This is really a novelty dive with as marine life is far better in other areas but the coral encrusted metal remains is interesting. This is also a good dive site for night dives.
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