SADKO - Tourist Submarine

ABOUT ZENOBIA SHIPWRECK.

Zenobia is classified as one of the best 10 shipwreck dives in the world, certainly the best in the Mediterranean.
This Swedish ro-ro ferry sank in 1980. She is now a home to many species of fish, and divers often encounter large schools of Amberjack, Grouper and Barracuda.
About 15 minutes by boat from Larnaca, the wreck of the Zenobia lies with 16 meters to her topside and 42 meters to the seabed, has two lorry decks, a further lower deck and the accommodation and restaurant areas.
The wreck offers a good idea what the famous Titanic is all about. The same as in famous Titanic drama the Zenobia sank in her first voyage.

On the 4th of May 1980 the 12 000 ton Swedish roll-on roll-off ferry "ZENOBIA" shipped her mooring in Malmo, Sweden and sailed for Syria, her intended destination. The ship had 104 huge lorries and trailers on board full of cargo intended for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern markets. With freight and passengers to collect en route, the Zenobia finally entered the Mediterranean through Gibraltar on the 22nd of May. Her first port of call was Heraklion in Crete, where after a two-day mooring, she proceed towards the Port Piraeus in Greece.
About mid-way between Crete and Athens, the Zenobia started to list to the port side. A check discovered that the pumps controlling the water ballast system had put too much water into the ballast tanks. In Piraeus, where after four days the water had been pumped out and, it was thought, the problem was solved.
Again she sailed on towards Syria, this time stopping at Cyprus, where on the 3rd of June she stopped at Larnaca. However the problem with the water ballast was still troubling the Zenobia. This time it was discovered that the computers controlling the water pumps were suspended. Worse news came to light - water was still being pumping into the side ballast tanks and it couldn't be turned off!

On the 4th of June the Zenobia, now with a serious side list was towed out of the Larnaca harbor to caution possible collisions inside the port. She was towed 2000 meters offshore where the water depth was 42 meters and left at anchor awaiting a possible solution. All the crew was taken off on the lifeboats.
On the night of the 6th of June, local residents of Larnaca could view the unusual sight of a huge 172 meters ro-ro ferry leaning heavily on its right side for the third night.
At 2:30 am on Saturday the 7th of June 1980, more than two hundred million pounds-worth of vehicles and cargo sank slowly to the final place.
The real cause is a mystery. Rumors and speculation abounded: there was a huge cargo of drugs that could not be found; the Zenobia was carrying Russian arms and missiles for Palestine Liberation Organization and so on. None of these have been proved and today the Zenobia is at rest.
Undoubtedly she is the best dive in the Mediterranean and is officially listed as one of the top ten wrecks dives in the World!
With no salvage work being allowed and over 100 Scania lorries, industrial machinery, cars and a cargo ranging from paint to air conditioners, timber to Tonka toys and especially one container of a million eggs, most of which now litter the stern of the wreck, the Zenobia really is a diver's paradise.
Anyone has the chance to investigate fascinating underwater world of Mediterranean and mysterious wreck in comfort and safety of our submarine "SADKO".