The Zenobia shipwreck
is one of the most famous wrecks, not only in the Mediterranean Sea,
but also in the whole world. It is fairly characterised and classified
as one of the “top 10 ship wrecks” due to its short distance from the
shore, its incredible marine life, and its considerably accessible
depth for recreational diving.
Zenobia was a Swedish
roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry that was making its voyage to Syria,
when at half a mile away from the Larnaca coast it faced problems with
its computers systems. It was on the night of the 2nd of
June in 1980, that the first radio contact was made about reporting
that the ship was having problems. Soon after, on the 3rd
of June, the ship started to create a slope towards its port side,
without anything that could be done to save it. The crew was safely
removed before the tragic happened.
The big question is
still unanswered, how such a massive ship like the Zenobia could sink
such easily? Many suggested that the ship was sunk due to a computer
design and operation system failure that controlled the ballast
buoyancy tanks. Others supported that the ‘malfunction’ of the
computer system was caused by ‘accidentally switching-off’ the system.
This was claimed that had to do with an insurance scam for receiving
the insurance company’s compensation money. Others claimed that the
ship was carrying drugs and others said that some rocket missiles were
in the ship and that is why the ship created such a mystery.
Zenobia was a monster
ship, with a total length of 174 meters and 28 meters of wide. It
displaced a total of 10,000 tons of water. At the day of ‘her’ final
journey, Zenobia was loaded with 104 trailers, trucks and lorries,
fully loaded with cargo such as food, cigarettes, eggs and many
others.
The maximum depth where
she went down is about 42 meters of sandy seabed. The ship is sunk on
its port side, so you can reach the top of it at only 17 meters of
water. Both the maximum and the minimum depths that the wreck is, are
ideal for both beginner divers just competed their open water course
or for the most experienced divers, diving on air or on technical
gases and wishing penetration into the “heard of the wreck”.
We always suggest
divers not to swim along the under sites of the vehicles found in the
wreck, as they can weight in at more than 40 tones and are held by
chains that are constantly loosing their strength. All the windows of
the main super structure have been broken for some years, since 3
divers were trapped in one of the wreck’s rooms, in separate events,
as they were on penetration dives. Two of those divers were drawn,
because running out of air, while one of them was rescued by local
diving instructors. These accidents have added much to dive safety as
now divers have second thoughts about attempting a penetration. Much
of the wreck’s internal parts have collapsed and the rust makes
visibility closing to zero.
The wreck can be better
be explored with Nitrox, because it will allow you more bottom time,
thus reducing your decompression stops. If you happen to dive on air,
always make sure you use correctly the dive tables, or follow your
dive computer’s instruction for a safe dive.
You must always have in
mind that your compass will not work close to metal objects (such as
the wreck) and also be careful of disorientation because the whole
thing is at an angle of 90 degrees.
Cyprus’s diving centres
still celebrate the day that the Zenobia was sunk. The whole diving
industry in Cyprus was developed and expanded basically on this famous
wreck.
Is always better to
seek local advice before diving the Zenobia, for weather conditions,
currents, boat trips, and which route to follow while being
underwater. Always follow the dive guide’s instructions because they
have dived the Zenobia hundred of times. Spare tanks are always hanged
on the boat for both required and precautionary safety decompression
stops. Our boats always have oxygen tanks on board for emergency
situations.
Explorer Divers
can provide anything you might need for this special wreck dive and
also guidance for a unique excursion. You can combine this wreck dive
with the Wreck Diver specialty or Nitrox course, or even the basic
courses of the Advance and the Master Diver courses.
One of the many other
things that will make this dive an unforgettable dive is the marine
life found on the wreck. Both around and inside the wreck, you can see
a variety of different species of fish from giant groupers, to giant
passing tuna fish, local barracuda, kingfish, jacks, moray-heel,
stingrays and many others.
The wreck attracts
thousands of divers from all over the world just to see the Zenobia.
It also amazing that you see it from the airplane when you are landing
to the Larnaca airport. If you are really interested for a serious
wreck dive, then Zenobia is a MUST DIVE.
