Its History
This is a relatively young shipwreck, having sunk in Egypt's Red Sea on 19th April 1983. While it doesn't boast a particularly thrilling backstory, this doesn't diminish its underwater appeal in the slightest.
The Giannis D, previously named Markos, was a 99-metre-long cargo vessel weighing 3,500 tonnes. Flying the Greek flag and owned by the Danae company, its final voyage was scheduled from Rijeka port in Croatia (then Yugoslavia) to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, before continuing to Yemen with a cargo of timber.
The ship crossed the Adriatic without incident before continuing through the Mediterranean towards Egyptian waters, where preparations began for crossing the Suez Canal. While canal transit procedures are typically cumbersome, the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict at the time made them even more arduous. Authorities had to verify cargo holds weren't smuggling weapons, causing unexpected delays that ironically extended the Giannis D's operational life.
The Final Chapter
After finally clearing the canal, the captain took extra precautions. This area of the Gulf of Suez teems with coral reefs lurking just beneath the surface, ready to tear through hulls. Thanks to the officers' experience, they navigated safely until complacency set in (legend says the captain fell asleep after heavy drinking), forgetting about the equally treacherous Sha'ab Abu Nuhas reef - a coral plateau two miles north of Shadwan Island at Gobal Strait's mouth that has claimed seven vessels.
Full engine power couldn't save them when they finally noticed the danger. They'd already struck the reef's northwest edge on 19th April 1983. As the ship foundered, the crew abandoned ship and were rescued by an Egyptian tugboat that took them to the Santa Fe oil platform. The wreck now lies at 28 metres depth.
Diving the Wreck
Diving the Giannis D presents moderate difficulty. Combined with its status as one of the world's premier wrecks for underwater photography thanks to exceptional light conditions, it promises an unforgettable experience.
The wreck lies parallel to the reef in three sections. Superstructures sit between 4-15 metres depth, the deck at 15-20 metres, with the sandy seabed at 28 metres.
GPS coordinates: 27°38'10"N 34°07'30"E. There are currently no diving restrictions on this wreck.
The bow rests closest to the reef at about 18 metres, where you'll see the anchor resting on coral. The wreck tilts stern-down, with its propeller on the seabed near 30 metres. While generally well-preserved, the central cargo hold area is heavily damaged - now a twisted metal mass that paradoxically attracts the most marine life including groupers and ever-present lionfish. The structures host vibrant hard and soft coral growths.
The stern offers the most fascinating exploration with the large wheelhouse and massive funnel. Easy access is possible throughout this area including the engine room. Most navigational equipment has been salvaged from the completely exposed wheelhouse.
Inside the wreck's interior (with the stern listing over 45° to port), orientation becomes challenging - monitor your instruments and bubbles to maintain spatial awareness. The maze of stairways and corridors warrants exploration with a torch, always maintaining exit visibility.
Suggested Dive Routes
When diving the Giannis D, begin at the deepest, most interesting stern section where you'll likely spend considerable time. Liveaboards typically moor above the wheelhouse superstructure at about 5 metres depth - visible below your vessel's bow. Descend the mooring line to explore the wheelhouse, engine room, funnel, aft deck and propeller. The water's clarity creates stunning backlighting effects on the superstructure.
From here, follow the starboard side towards the cargo holds, watching for passing pelagics in the blue. Continue to the bow to visit the massive anchor before ascending via the reef or retracing your route above the wreck to the mooring line - this provides easier decompression stop opportunities.
Other Notable Wrecks at Abu Nuhas
Seven wrecks permanently inhabit this hazardous navigation point near Gobal Strait's entrance. Besides the Giannis D, the most intriguing are the Carnatic (a British sail-steam hybrid sunk in 1869 carrying wine and soda bottles) and Chrisoula K (resting at the reef's opposite end in poorer condition).
But these wrecks are another story...
