Meet the Odia Diver Making Waves: Priyadarshee Panigrahi Explores Unique Aircraft Wreck in Jordan
A Remarkable Underwater Adventure
Bhubaneswar: Priyadarshee Panigrahi, a prominent scuba diver and Non-Resident Odia based in Dubai, has achieved a significant milestone in his underwater exploration journey by diving into the submerged Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft located in the Red Sea of Jordan, recognized as one of the most unique underwater aircraft wrecks in the world.
Last Sunday, Panigrahi embarked on this dive near Aqaba, the only coastal city in Jordan. The aircraft, measuring 50 meters and capable of seating 300 passengers, was intentionally sunk in August 2019 after its retirement to serve as an artificial reef and marine habitat.
Resting at depths between 18 and 28 meters, this wreck has become a popular destination for wreck divers. Panigrahi reached a depth of 94 feet (28.7 meters), marking his deepest dive into a wreck to date. He explored the submerged passenger cabin, navigated the aisles of the former airliner, inspected the cockpit, and exited through one of the aircraft's doors. “It felt like a journey through aviation history beneath the waves. Swimming through a plane that once soared at altitudes of 30,000 to 35,000 feet and now lies on the ocean floor is an extraordinary and unforgettable experience,” he remarked.
As a senior professional in business management, Panigrahi has dived in various renowned locations across Asia, Africa, and Europe, including the Maldives, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Cyprus, establishing himself as one of Odisha's leading underwater adventure enthusiasts. His passion for diving is shared with his daughter, Tisya Panigrahi.
Both are certified Advanced Open Water Divers, making them one of the few father-daughter pairs in India engaged in advanced scuba diving and active advocates for marine conservation and underwater exploration. Priyadarshee is the son of the late Sriballav Panigrahi, a former Union Minister and three-time Member of Parliament, and the late educationist Sunanda Panigrahi.