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The Red Sea Holiday Magazine,
Issue no68, August 2008
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 | New conservation efforts at Thistlegorm completed |  | | | | The HEPCA mooring team successfully completed work on 6 April 2008 on an enhancement of the new mooring system at the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm. Over the last three months since the first phase of the conservation work at least have of the 32 mooring lines installed at the site have been damaged and some enhancements were recommended for ease and safety. The new round of conservation efforts followed a February meeting held in Sharm El Sheikh between HEPCA and the managers of several of the larger dive centers, and representatives of the CDWS and SSDM.
Divers from the HEPCA mooring team spent several days working on the mooring system and have lengthened the lines to minimum 18m depth. All lines are now fitted with steel eyelets to make tying easier, and buoyed to aid easier identification. Boats are now required to throw an anchor from the stern before using the mooring system. This extra stability should help ensure that the lines do not become shredded by rubbing against the structure of the wreck in wind and strong currents.
It is hoped that these new enhancements to the system will eliminate any issues with diving operators using the mooring system and will ensure that all those who visit the SS Thistlegorm comply with its use. This additional work was undertaken with minimum disruption and without the need for closure of the wreck.
The conservation work on the SS Thistlegorm is part of the Saving the Red Sea Wrecks Campaign.
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