ELPIDA

scrapped

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Freighter sunk as artificial reef

The Cyprus Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis on Dec 7 attended the sinking of the ‘Elpida’ off Larnaca, a move aimed at creating protected areas of artificial reefs around the island, becoming the biggest of the five vessels sunk so far off the coast of Cyprus for the creation of such reefs. The vessel was sunk in front of the Palm Beach hotel in Larnaca, around two kilometres from the shore, at a 30-metre depth and it will be the sixth such protected artificial reef area. At the ceremony, Kadis said that the ship was sunk in an area that has been studied and presents relatively limited natural reefs and other habitats and was expected to significantly copntribute to the creation of shelters, growth and feeding site for many species of marine flora and fauna, contributing substantially to the protection and development of biodiversity in the region. Artificial reefs created opportunities for sustainable development by promoting diving tourism and encouraging scientific research. Currently, the fisheries department was promoting the creation of artificial reefs and other similar projects, totaling €2.2m as part of the implementation of the ‘Thalassa’ scheme for the 2014-2020 programming period The sinking of the 'Elpida' was a coordinated effort by the fisheries department and the Larnaca Tourism Board. The latter, he said, has exerted great efforts for the purchase of the vessel and bring it to Cyprus with the support of more than 30 sponsors such as local and state authorities, companies and diving schools. The project was funded by 75 per cent from the EU and 25 per cent from the government through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020. On Dec 10 another vessel, the 'LEF1', was sunk in the same area at a 13-metre depth so that it can be accessible not only to divers but also for snorkeling. The vessel was donated by Lefkaritis Bros Ltd. Reports with photos and video: http://larnakaonline.com.cy/2019/12/10/larnaka-i-pontisi-tou-ploiou-lef1-entyposiaka-plana-apo-drone-foto-vinteo/ https://cyprus-mail.com/2019/12/07/larnaca-gets-biggest-artificial-reef-yet-as-elpida-sunk-off-coast/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_k1heaWAPs http://larnakaregion.com/page/get-ready-for-our-reef

Freighter becoming artificial reef

The 'Elpida' is to be sunk off the coast of Larnaca on Dec 6, 2019, to create an artificial reef, about two kilometers from the beach in front of the Palm Beach Hotel by the Fisheries Department in cooperation with the Larnaca Tourism Promotion Company. The project is 75% financed by the EU and 25% by the Republic of Cyprus through the European Marine and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020. The ceremony will be held at 9.15 a.m. and will be open to the public. Diving will not be permitted on that day in the area for safety reasons while boats must stay away from the delineated area. The ship will join a number of vessels sunk off the coast to create artificial reefs to promote Cyprus as a diving destination including off Dasoudi and Amathus in Limassol, in the sea off Protaras and off Geroskipou.

Elpida to be sunk as artificial reef

On Oct 9, 2017, the "Elpida" arrived at the port of Vassiliko where it is to be stripped and cleaned ahead of its sinking off Larnaca in March 2018 to serve as an artificial reef and point of interest for divers. She had sailed from Antikira and will be sunk off the coast of Larnaca, in the Oroklini area. She will be the biggest ship sunk in the Cypriot sea as part of the European fund for fisheries and aquaculture.