Marine Life & Conservation
Mooring buoys: how the Red Sea's reefs were saved from boat anchors
Mooring buoys let dive boats in the Egyptian Red Sea tie up without dropping anchors onto coral. The system was started in 1992 by divers in Hurghada who went on to form HEPCA, and has grown to more than 1,200 public moorings along the coast. HEPCA's team still inspects and repairs them: 470 buoys checked in June 2026 alone.
By 71 Guardians · Published 29 Oct 2026
What was the problem with anchors?
As diving grew, boats anchored directly on reefs; every anchor and chain broke coral that takes decades to grow back. In 1992 a group of Hurghada divers proposed a permanent mooring system instead — the start of HEPCA.
How big is the mooring system today?
Accounts of the first years differ — about 50 or about 100 buoys in 1992. By 2022 Euronews reported about 1,300 public moorings plus over 100 for private beaches; HEPCA's own page says more than 1,200. Either way it is one of the largest mooring systems in the world.
Who maintains the buoys?
HEPCA's mooring team. In June 2026 it visited 100 dive sites, inspected 470 buoys, repaired 65 and re-installed 20.
What can divers do to help?
- Choose operators that always use the moorings and never anchor on the reef.
- Keep fins, hands and gauges off the coral.
- Support HEPCA directly. Its own account says it receives no funding from national-park, marine-park or environmental-fee collection systems.
Frequently asked questions
Who started the Red Sea mooring buoys?
A group of Hurghada divers in 1992, who went on to form HEPCA.
How many mooring buoys are there in the Egyptian Red Sea?
More than 1,200 public moorings according to HEPCA; Euronews reported about 1,300 in 2022.
Do your boats use the moorings?
Yes — on every site.
Questions before you dive with us?
Message our team on WhatsApp — we're divers in Hurghada and happy to help.
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