Jordan unveils its underwater Military Museum in Aqaba
An adventure that will leave you breathless! Take a swim in the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea and explore the first Underwater Military Museum offering underwater enthusiasts 19 fascinating relics of battles.
The military machines are stationed along the coral reefs imitating a battle tactical formation, that have formed the most exciting underwater escapade, intriguing divers and snorkelers to discover more and more of the dive site, not expecting what to see next and leaving them with a totally unique experience.
After 30 days of scanning, photographing and planning, the blueprints for scuttling are ready, and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) started sinking the 19 military items in only 7 working days, while ensuring that the whole process is not affecting the surrounding marine organisms. The formation consisted of tanks of different sizes, an ambulance, a military crane, a troop carrier, an anti-aircraft, guns and a combat helicopter.
Eight objects were settled at 15-20 meters and the other 11 can be found at 20-28 meters allowing people to enjoy Aqaba’s Underwater Military Museum in 3 different ways and spot different displays; you can snorkel, take the tour in the glass bottom boat or scuba dive.
This resource will grow as the Museum’s Collection is catalogued, and as new acquisitions are added. The Museum aims to demonstrate a new type of museums experiences, where an interaction between sports, environment and exhibits manifests in front of the recipient.
ASEZA gave a great attention to the environmental effects of the scuttling and made all measures to ensure the protection and safety of the marine environment in cooperation with all concerned and relevant authorities and associations. Before the sinking all hazardous materials were removed to comply with the environmental best practices.
The location of the museum also promotes the recovery of the natural reefs as it relieves pressure on them by drawing visitors away to an alternative site.
Aqaba’s Underwater Military Museum Dive Site is a product of a fruitful partnership between public and private sectors: ASEZA was responsible for the planning, preparing, and sinking, while Aqaba Port for providing the mobile docks used in the sinking process and the required human resources, Aqaba Port Marine Services Company (APMSCO) was responsible for providing tug boats. The unique role in the construction of this museum would not have been possible without the efforts of the Royal Jordanian Maritime Force, whose role was to secure the site and maintain public safety during all stages. The Red Sea Diving Center (DRCS) volunteered to document the whole operation with their professional underwater cameras.