The AL Arish was originally built as the 4,609 GRT Roll On/Roll Off PAX-ferry EL Tor built at A/S Bergens shipbuilding, Bergens, Norway (Yard No. 794) for Misr Edco Sg. Col., Ltd., Alexandria, Egypt. She was launched on 23 September 1980 and completed and delivered 31 March 1981.
The AL Arish‘s final voyage was on a return trip from Jeddah, KSA to Safaga in 2001. During this trip a fire broke out in the ship’s engine room which caused significant damage. The ship was able to make it back to Safaga where she was anchored and remained until the ship “disappeared” one day.
Local stories concerning the ship greatly vary. One day the ship was just gone and most people had assumed the the ship had gotten underway and left. One reference used in research states that after a long period of unpaid harbor fees the ship was intentionally scuttled, another reference alludes to an alleged insurance scam.Guesses concerning the ship’s disappearance aside, the ship had actually sunk at its anchorage in 37 meters of water! The ship was relocated by Mr. Peter Collings of Emperor Divers a few years later and this looks to be a great wreck dive!Learn more at: http://dive.im/AlArish
