MV Salem Express

MV Salem Express was a passenger ship that sank in the Red Sea. It is one of the most famous shipwrecks and is a popular site for scuba diving.

History

The MV Salem Express was a roll-on/roll-off car and passenger ferry that was originally named the Fred Scamaroni. It was built in 1964 by Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée in La Seyne, France. The ship was later renamed the Salem Express in 1988 after being purchased by Samatour Shipping Company.

Sinking

On December 17, 1991, the MV Salem Express was making a return trip from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Safaga, Egypt when it hit a coral reef near Sha'ab Sheer, causing the ship to sink rapidly. The exact number of casualties is unknown, but estimates range from 470 to over 1,000, making it one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history.

Wreck

The wreck of the MV Salem Express lies at a depth of 30 meters, with the ship resting on its starboard side. The site is considered a grave due to the large loss of life and divers are asked to respect the site and not to enter the wreck.

Diving

The MV Salem Express is a popular site for scuba diving. However, due to the depth and the potential hazards inside the wreck, it is considered a dive for advanced divers only.

See also

• List of shipwrecks
• Scuba diving
• Red Sea