The tanker "Hephaestus" will be sunk in Malta as an artificial reef

Four years after the tanker “Hephaestus” ran aground, the decision was made to sink the vessel as an attraction for divers.
In the second half of October 2019, we reportedThat the tanker “Hephaestus” is likely to be sunk. Admittedly, four years have passed since it ran aground, but finally the matter has found its finale! According to available information, the wreck will be sunk at a depth of about 40 meters.

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It’s all thanks to the action taken by representatives of The Professional Diving Schools Association of Malta Gozo and Comino (PDSA). Today we can officially announce that the wreck, measuring 60 meters, will rest at the bottom off the coast of the island of Gozo. Thus, the tanker wreck will become Malta’s newest diving attraction.

Certainly, the new wreck will not feel alone at the bottom. There are already three other vessels sunk nearby – MV “Karvela”, MV “Xlendi” and MV “Cominoland”.

Interestingly, the tanker wrecked off the coast of Malta has already managed to become a tourist attraction. During its sojourn on the rocks, tourists and locals alike often stopped near the immobilized ship to take a souvenir photo with the unusual feature that has grown into the landscape.

The ship, after being towed, ended up at the Cassar Ship Repair yard in Mars, but the owner deemed the repairs too expensive and thus sealed the fate of the vessel. Now all that remains is for us to wait for this steel colossus to bottom out so we can visit it!

Update [22.08.2022]:

The sinking of the tanker Hephaestus was scheduled for September 1, 2022.

Without a doubt, in 2021 one of the most important diving events in Poland was the expedition to the wreck of the steamer SS Karlsruhe. You will read more about it in the 19th issue the DIVERS24 quarterly magazine! The digital version of the magazine is available free of charge, while the printed version you can buy in our online shop.