Underwater documentary of Calheta wreck wins International Festival

Gonçalo Gomes from Madeira has won the first prize of the IV Festival Internacional de Vídeo Subaquático VIDEODIGISUB, documentary category, titled 'Mau Rei - o naufrágio'. ('Bad King –the sinking')

The Madeiran documentary was seen in the large auditorium of the Portimão Museum, and convinced the jury, as well as the audience of its quality and history of the life of the ship ‘Bom Rei’

Happy with the distinction , Gonçalo Gomes told the press that the 1000 Euro prize in Portimao represents “ the acknowledgement of a hard battle for many hours underwater.”. and helped him believe even more in what he does and encouraged him to continue improving”

Gonçalo Gomes felt the need to make this documentary as he had noticed that “there was nothing on this diving spot”, or about the ship ‘Bom Rei’. “There were many photographs of the ship, but as far as a video particularly of the interior of the ship, which was something very risky to do, there was nothing”, he said.

Recently, Gonçalo Gomes also came 3rd in a Festival in Germany, with another documentary - 'Colormotion underwater' – and he will continue working on the underwater video. “Because I want to continue to show the bottom of our sea, that unfortunately, continues to be very disturbed, despite the serious consequences for the underwater marine life.”. he explained.

He said that his documentary can be viewed on his webpage www.bygogo.com Or on youtube, by typing in the word ‘gogoimage’.

Calheta wreck

The documentary ‘Bad King – The Sinking’, tells the story of the ship ‘Bom Rei’, which sunk on the 25 March 1996, between Madalena do Mar and Calheta, about 800 metres from the coast. It was a 90 metre cargo ship, converted in a dredger. Previously, it was called 'Bowbelle' and sailed as a cargo transporter. On the 29 August 1989 the ship was involved in an accident with a recreation boat ‘Marchioness' on the River Thames in London which resulted in a tragic death toll of 51 dead. Years later the boat was sold to Madeira, bringing it a new name and work as a dredger.

The boat brokedown on the above mentioned date, and sunk 32 metres. It was found 6 months later by a divers of a dive school. Since then, the wreck of the 'Bom Rei' has attracted many curious divers. The boat is still in good condition and functions as a natural reef for many fish shoals.