The Bakr

The Bakr was a 49 metre, 416 ton, survey vessel built in Kiev by Leninskaya Kuznitzal, for the United Arab Republic General Petroleum Co. She was sunk at Ras Gharib by Israeli missiles on October 14th 1973 during the Yom Kippur War.

Discovery of the Wreck

In March 2006 the wreck was discovered sitting upright on a sandy seabed just of the headland at Ras Gharib, in 12 mitres of water. Identification of the wreck was made easy by the name embossed on her stern and her bow. Except for the damage caused by the missiles the hull appears intact, and it is possible to enter the hull and investigate the interior of the vessel.

Constructed: not known (Kiev, USSR)
Wrecked: 1973
Length of ship: 49m (160ft)
Wreck location: Ras Gharib, Egypt.
Depth range of wreck: Surface to 12m

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The Wreck Today

All around the wreck are the day to day artifacts of the working life of a survey vessel. Winches cable drums, generators and fittings.

Her booms are still in an outward position as if she was towing arrays at the time of her sinking.

The bow is an impressive sight, bathed in strong sunlight in only a few metres of water, her anchor winch still in place. It would appear that the wreck has been swept to the waterline.

Additional Images

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