Chrisoula K. Wreck Of The Tiles

The Chrisoula K (Wreck of the Tiles) is a popular wreck on Shaab Abu Nuhas reef in the northern Red Sea. The Greek cargo ship lies in two main sections: the shallow bow is aground at only a few metres while the stern rests on sand at about 26–28 m. Broken Italian floor tiles remain in the cargo holds and on the sand, and hard and soft corals and sponges encrust the superstructure. Access is by boat with a descent on a buoy line attached to the wreck. Typical dive depths range from about 3–5 m at the bow to roughly 28 m at the stern; visibility is generally moderate (often 10–25 m) and currents are usually light, though part of the reef ridge can be drifted while the wreck itself is relatively sheltered. All entry is by boat (no shore entry). The engine room and cargo holds form swim-throughs but are narrow and unstable; penetration is recommended only for properly trained wreck divers. Main hazards noted are silty sediment inside the wreck, sharp metal, low visibility inside the structure, and the instability of the wreck. The Chrisoula K was a Greek cargo ship that collided with the northeast corner of the reef in August 1981 while carrying a load of Italian floor tiles. The hull is largely upright on its port side; the twisted stern with accommodation blocks, propeller and rudder lies at roughly 26 m, and the bridge deck and engine room remain intact.