Rust In Peace! Divers Find Entire Sunken TANK On Sea Bed
The rusty remains of a once-deadly tank have been immortalised in pictures showing it lying undisturbed under the sea.
The remains of the US-built M42 Duster anti-aircraft gun has laid at the bottom of the Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan since the 1980s when it was sunk by the King of Jordan as part of the artificial reef.
Sunk - the US-built tank has laid at the bottom of the ocean since the 1980s
Underwater photographer and Bournemouth University lecturer Saeed Rashid snapped its remains after being invited to photograph the Red Sea Coast and deserts by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).
He visited Aqaba, its coastline, Wadi Rum desert and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra as part of the project.
“I was aware of the tank wreck site as an underwater photographer and had always wanted to see it,” said the 45-year-old.
"It’s not a big site but it’s attracted many reef inhabitants – it was full of life with blennies and hunting lionfish in the gun barrels.
Seascape - the tank is now ‘full of life’ with fish living in its gun barrels
He added: "I was incredibly pleased with the pictures – they show a unique seascape unlike any other wreck and I would love to visit it again.”
Jordan remains relatively unspoilt by tourism, he said, despite Petra and the Dead Sea being popular attractions.
“Aqaba was a real gem that will surprise even the most jaded of Red Sea veterans and I would highly recommend a trip to this beautiful strip of Red Sea coast.”
(Pictures: Caters)
