The old Lockheed Martin L1011 Tristar plane, with its three engines, mounted in the wings and tail, would already be a sight to behold if seen in the air or on the ground — but it is even more so deep under the surface of the Red Sea, among the fish. and the corals.
The abandoned jet, sunk in 2019 to create an artificial reef and encourage marine life, was photographed by American underwater photographer Brett Holzer in a series of images that capture the eerie spectacle created by this aquatic plane.
According to Holzer, the jet has now become a haven for wreck explorers and underwater photographers.
First registered in the 1980s and having flown with several airlines including, according to Planespotters.net, Royal Jordanian, TAP Air of Portugal and Novair of Sweden before, after a final stint with Luzair, another Portuguese carrier, it was abandoned in the early 2000s.
After being parked and seemingly forgotten for years at King Hussein International Airport, near the shores of the Red Sea, the plane was sunk in Jordan’s Gulf of Aqaba, with the aim of encouraging diving tourism and coral growth, according to the Jordan Petra News Agency.
Holzer says it’s at a depth of 15 to 28 meters, with the plane’s tail at the deepest end.
“The cockpit is the shallowest part of the wrecked plane and faces the beach at about 13 meters,” Holzer told CNN Arabic.
Floating on an airplane
Professional divers can enter the wreck through two doors behind the cabin.
Inside the Tristar’s fuselage, the middle row seats have been removed to allow better access for divers, but other than that, the jet is surprisingly well preserved.
“Divers can go backwards to the last two exit ports, which are at a depth of 28 meters,” says Holzer. “Or they can exit through the middle doors, which are about 20 meters deep.”
The cockpit, rows of seats on either side, bathrooms and kitchens are still in place, allowing divers to float around a commercial plane largely intact, says the photographer.
After three years in the water, the plane’s wings are now home to numerous soft corals. The fuselage is surrounded by huge sponges populated by a variety of marine life.
“It’s not uncommon to find octopuses feeding near coral heads,” says Holzer. The puffer fish can also be seen.
The real thrill, he says, is the uniqueness of exploring a passenger plane under the sea.
“This adventure offers a realistic diving experience inside a real commercial aircraft,” says Holzer.
His underwater photos were a hit on Instagram, with some of his followers planning their own trips to the Gulf of Aqaba to view the wreckage.
However, Holzer emphasizes that this adventure may not be for everyone.
Because of its depth, he says, divers will need to be fully qualified professionals. He also recommends making advance reservations, as the visit requires a boat.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
