Million Hope - Sunk for a decade
Posted By Mark Jones on 24 July 2006
A few years after sinking, the wreck had begun to settle nicely into one of the most sought after dives in the Red Sea, especially for those who did not want either the expense or the travel involved in a visit to the SS Thistlegorm. The Million Hope was always a special dive that almost guaranteed, by its location and accessibility, virtually no other divers there. In fact, the fire that raged shortly before its sinking and its closeness to the shore meant that the insides had largely been emptied of any obstructions and penetration of the various rooms, including the engine room were both a treat and easily undertaken. As the years progressed the sea had begun to take hold on the wreck and the coral was beginning to grow across the sunken decks, while the numerous fusiliers and lionfish were quickly becoming accustomed to their new habitat. This explosion of life combined with the relatively shallow depth meant this wreck was an absolute gift for underwater photography.
However, many of the dive schools in the area forbade diving to this location under many varied pretexts -- mainly one of safety. While the wreck itself was not unsafe, the sea conditions regularly made it undiveable. Although, on such days it was more dangerous for the shallow keeled dive boats to try to make it to the wreck through the waves and the swell.
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