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| The Boeing 747 on its way to be submerged off a Bahraini island city |
Kingdom of Bahrain, A country situated between Qatar and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Comprises of a whopping 1.2 million residents, have deliberately sunken a Boeing 747 underwater to promote tourist attraction and divers to explore to wreck. So, Whats the deal ?
"Dive Bahrain", An underwater theme park spanning about 10,000 square metre attraction, comprises of a Boeing 747, A replica of a Bahrain's Merchants Pearl House, Artificial Coral Reefs and many other Sculptures. Thus promoting underwater tourism and increasing environmental awareness on marine life.
"Dive Bahrain", An underwater theme park spanning about 10,000 square metre attraction, comprises of a Boeing 747, A replica of a Bahrain's Merchants Pearl House, Artificial Coral Reefs and many other Sculptures. Thus promoting underwater tourism and increasing environmental awareness on marine life.
Good For Environment ?
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| Qualified divers enjoying the wreck |
Like this, They've been cases of submerged jets before, to provide a safe haven for marine life.
In 1993, A Boeing 727 jet was submerged off the coast of Miami. Also, In January 2017, A decommissioned Air Canada Boeing 737, was submerged in the Stuart Channel near Chemainus, British Columbia.
Wreck diving being the oldest form for constructing artificial coral reefs, May in turn endanger it due to the exposure of corrosion and heavy metals released from the submerged wrecks, as they lose their structural integrity over time.
But, The BETA( Bahrain exhibition and tourist agency) did clarify the fact that, The aircraft was specially prepared before being submerged, Thereby adhering to strict environmental standards and promoting the local marine ecosystem in the area.
Wreck diving being the oldest form for constructing artificial coral reefs, May in turn endanger it due to the exposure of corrosion and heavy metals released from the submerged wrecks, as they lose their structural integrity over time.
But, The BETA( Bahrain exhibition and tourist agency) did clarify the fact that, The aircraft was specially prepared before being submerged, Thereby adhering to strict environmental standards and promoting the local marine ecosystem in the area.
History of the Aircraft
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| The Boeing 747 being specially prepared before it gets submerged as per the environmental standards |
According to airfleets.net, The aircraft was originally delivered to Malaysia Airlines in 1982, With registration 9M-MHJ, and served till 2008, With Focus Air Cargo after being handed over in 2005, As N361FC.
Later served as TF-AAA, for Air Atlanta Icelandic till 2008.
Later served as TF-AAA, for Air Atlanta Icelandic till 2008.
Is It Open to Public ?
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| Divers inspecting the "radar dome" of the Boeing 747 |
According to divebahrain.com, Those interested are required to contact the list of registered diving centres on the website, The diving centres would later organise the trip. But for now, Only qualified Divers are able to visit the wreck.
Well, If you are a qualified diver and reside close to Bahrain, All that's left is to contact the diving centres and enjoy the 747 wreck. With the Covid -19 Pandemic around, I think you would be safe in the sea !!
Reference
CNN Travel June 2019, Divers explore Boeing 747 underwater theme park in Bahrain, viewed on 2nd August 2020
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