The Indian Ocean - Wreck of the Paraportiani
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The Indian Ocean
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Introduction
The Indian Ocean is the third largest body of water on Earth at more than 6,000 miles wide and covering 13% of the world's surface. It is home to 5,000 species of fish, many of which only exist in the Indian Ocean. But it is also an ocean under threat from global issues such as over-fishing and climate change, which make this an ocean on the edge.
Wreck of the Paraportiani
Overview
For many centuries, trade in the Indian Ocean was dictated by the winds and powerful currents that flow uninterrupted for thousands of miles before reaching the east African coast. Wrecks on the sea floor can provide a vital snapshot of maritime life yet many are not protected and are broken up for salvage. Bronze scrap can be worth £1,000 per tonne.
In 1967 the Paraportiani was sunk off Pemba Island, Zanzibar. The 94-metre cargo ship, transporting wheat from Romania to Jeda, was diverted around the African coast when the Arab-Israeli conflict closed the Suez canal. Shortly before the end of the voyage, the ship lost its radar and echo-sounder and ended up navigating by traditional methods in unfamiliar waters. Strong and unpredictable currents forced her onto the reef.
| Importance: | An archaeological dive that tells an interesting story about the treacherous conditions for those navigating this stretch of coastline. |
| Dive category: | This is a wreck dive that reaches to 15m. There can be strong and unpredictable currents in this area so it is a dive recommended for experienced divers only. |
| Access: | Dive operators organise trips to the Paraportiani. |
Interesting for
- Protection of wreck sites
- Wikipediea summarises Unesco convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage. This convention has not been adopted by many states, including Tanzania.
- Unesco convention
BBC related content
- Oceans presenter biography: Lucy Blue
- Oceans ultimate dives: Lucy Blue's wreck dive
- Oceans image gallery: The Indian Ocean
- BBC History: An introduction to wreck diving
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