Two and a Half Wrecks

Tugboat 10, along with its counterpart St. Michael, is one of the two shallow wrecks located near Zonqor Point in Marsaskala, situated on the Southeastern coast of Malta. Previously serving as tugboats in the bustling Grand Harbour of Valletta, Tug 10 was intentionally sunk in May 1998, alongside St. Michael, to create an artificial reef and a designated scuba diving site.

The St. Michael is a TANC type tug with a length of 20 meters. It was built in 1944, in Canada. Tugboat 10 is a Melita type tugboat with a length of 16m. Prior to their scuttling, both tugboats underwent thorough cleaning operations to ensure environmental safety and enhance their suitability for diving purposes. They now lie on a sandy bottom at a depth of 19 and 21 meters, approx. 60 meters apart. They have created a habitat for many species of marine fauna. Here, we’ll meet morays eels, scorpion fish, flying fish, stingrays, crabs, octopus, and many others.

On July 31, 2021, the P33, a former patrol boat, was scuttled between the two tug boats in Marsaskala. Unfortunately, the wreck has not been able to withstand the forces of nature for an extended period and is rapidly deteriorating on the seabed, therefore only counts as half a wreck.

Difficulty level: OWD

Max depth: 21 m