Dive operators in the Egyptian Red Sea have been warned to comply with new mooring regulations on the wreck of the Thistlegorm or face prosecution.
The Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA), which installed the mooring lines in December to protect the wreck, issued a statement to the dive community after 16 of the 32 lines were cut. However, following the installation of the lines, HEPCA has received a series of complaints from dive operators, many of whom say the system is unworkable.
Amr Ali, HEPCA's chairman, told DIVE: 'HEPCA has heard two kinds of complaints: firstly, that the mooring lines are too long, which means they are drifting in the current and crossing the wreck and shredding; and secondly, that the lines are too short, which means that dive guides are considering that they are in danger when repeatedly tying ropes at depth. It seems we are damned if we do, and damned if we don't.'
Ali added that HEPCA divers plan to install shorter lines to prevent them being dragged across the wreck. But he insisted that the situation was caused by 'lack of experience' among dive guides.
A series of other complaints were dismissed in an earlier letter sent to the dive community. In the letter, Ali hit back at claims that the 5m swim from the mooring lines to the wreck in the strong currents often experienced on the site was too difficult for most dive guests.
'After a considerable consultation period with operators, skippers, divers and other specialists, the current mooring system was chosen as the
only viable solution,' Ali said. 'Any diver who cannot swim 5m from the rope
to the wreck in a current should not
be diving on this wreck. There cannot
be any compromise.'
HEPCA thanked all those who have backed its Saving the Red Sea Wrecks campaign for their support. Those who support the scheme, however, say HEPCA may have to change the system so that all boats visiting the Thistlegorm can adhere to it.
A spokesperson at Sharm El Sheikh-based Camel Dive Club said: 'We are supporting HEPCA's efforts 100 per cent and believe it is doing a good job to find a solution. Of course, there are practical difficulties while everyone gets used to the new system, and adjustments may be needed before the optimal solution to the mooring issue can be found.
'One major problem is that some dive centres/boats are not respecting the new system and are still tying on to the wreck. The system only works to conserve the wreck if everyone respects it.'
HEPCA said that although previous violations are being considered as a lack of awareness and knowledge, boat operators have been warned that legal action would be taken against all violations of the new regulations following the changes to mooring lines.
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