The Wreck of the Loullia
On our way back to the dock in Sharm El-Shiekh, we stopped for a look at the Wreck of the Loullia. This bulk carrier ran aground on the northern edge of Gordon Reef on September 29, 1981.
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From the website Red Sea Wreck Project:
The Loullia was a 2,479 GRT motor bulk carrier which began life as the Antonina built at Öresundvarvet A/B (Yard No. 121), Landskrona, Sweden for Rederi A/B Poseidon, Stockholm, Sweden. She was launched on 06 May 1952 and completed on 17 July with a length of 107.5 meters, beam of 14.3 meters, and draught of 8.49 meters, with diesel engines and a single screw for a top speed of 14.5 knots.
In 1965 the ship was sold and renamed Zschopau and was possibly owned by an East German company. The ship was sold again in 1978 to the Blue Mediterranean Shipping Company (managed by Amin Kawar & Sons Co. W.L.L., Amman, Jordan).
On 29 September 1981, while sailing in ballast from Aqaba, Jordan to Suez, the Loullia ran aground on the northern edge of Gordon Reef in the Straits of Tiran at position 27.59.30N/34.27.12E. The crew remained onboard and unsuccessfully attempted to refloat the ship. The ship was abandoned on 02 October and declared a total constructive loss.
It is rumoured that for many years afterwards, that the wreck was used as a base for drug dealers operating out of the Straits of Tiran.
Diving Information
This is not a wreck dive per se. However, she provides some really good photography opportunities from the surface after completing a dive at Gordon Reef. The ship is perched on top of the reef with her bows facing to the east. The ship has broken into multiple sections over time and will eventually drop off the reef’s edge where she will most likely settle in deep water. Many years ago there was a lifeboat located on the bottom beneath the ship at between 45 and 55 meters, however we do not know if it is still there. It is not advisable to dive beneath the wreck as it sits today!
Christmas Break, 2015 – Egypt
Cairo & Giza, Egypt – Arriving – A Childhood Dream Comes True
Giza, Egypt – Tour Guides & Riding Horseback Through The Village of Nazlet El-Samman
Giza, Egypt – Giza Pyramid Complex – Main Entrance
Giza, Egypt – Giza Pyramid Complex – Galloping Across The Sahara Desert
Giza, Egypt – Giza Pyramid Complex – Photo Fun
Giza, Egypt – Giza Pyramid Complex – Climbing a Pyramid of The Queens
Giza, Egypt – Giza Pyramid Complex – Riding to Menkaure, Khafre and Khufu Pyramids
Giza, Egypt – Giza Pyramid Complex – Kissing The Great Sphinx of Giza
Giza, Egypt – Giza Pyramid Complex – Queen Herepheres’ Tombs
Giza, Egypt – Giza Pyramid Complex – Call To Prayer
Cairo, Egypt – The Egyptian Museum of Cairo
Cairo, Egypt – The Egyptian Museum of Cairo – All Things Tutankhamen
Cairo, Egypt – Koshary El Tahrir Restaurant
Cairo, Egypt – Drive to Souq Khan el-Khalili
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – Arriving
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – Exotic Apparel
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – Animal Life
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – Food Vendors
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – Colourful World of Souvenirs
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – Beautiful Arabic Design & Light
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – The Apothecary’s Market
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – A Labyrinth Of Alleyways & Roads
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – The People
Cairo, Egypt – Khan el-Khalili – Mosques, Minarets & Architecture
Giza, Egypt – Canal Overflowing With Garbage
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Walking To The Giza Pyramid Complex
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – Climbing The Great Pyramid
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – Cheops Celebrity Fun
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – The Camel Guy
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – Everything Camels
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – Photo Fun
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – Conversations With A Pharaoh
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – Moments
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – Photo Fun
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – The Great Sphinx
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Giza Pyramid Complex – Photo Frenzy
Nazlet El-Samman, Egypt – Christmas Eve – A Few Photos After We Leave The Giza Pyramid Complex
Nazlet El-Samman, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – End Of A Work Day
Sahara Desert, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Locals Come Out To Play
Sahara Desert, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – Sunset Glow On The Giza Pyramids
Nazlet El-Samman, Egypt – Christmas Eve Excitement – The Village At Night
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve Dinner – Cheristo Seafood Restaurant
Giza, Egypt – Christmas Eve – Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel – Final Night In Giza
Cairo, Egypt – Christmas Day – Cairo International Airport – Converse Sneaker Fun
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Christmas Day 2015 – Arriving At Its Vacant International Airport
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – A Quiet Christmas Boxing Day
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – Poolside Kinda Day
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – Late Afternoon Snorkel
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Off To See The Red Sea On The Yacht Daniz
South Laguna Reef, Straits of Tiran – Yachts Drop The Hook & Raft Together
South Laguna Reef, Straits of Tiran – Diving At South Laguna Reef
Gordon Reef, Straits of Tiran – Snorkelling At Gordon Reef
Gordon Reef, Straits of Tiran – The Wreck Of The Loullia
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Back To The Marina After A Day Of Exploring The Red Sea
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – Morning Yoga
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – Feeding The Fish
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – Genuine Fake Shop
Sharm el-Sheikh, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt – Exploring The Sinai Desert & Climbing A Mountain
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – A Quiet New Year’s Eve
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – New Year’s Day – Morning Snorkel
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – Snorkelling With A Red Lionfish
Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Xperience Sea Breeze Resort, Shark’s Bay – New Year’s Day – Final Evening
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