The MV Imperial Eagle used to operate as a Gozo ferry, carrying around 70 passengers and 10 cars between Malta and Gozo from 1958 to 1968, following which it carried cargo between the two islands for another 20 years. In 1995 it was sold to the local Diving community and in 1999, it was scuttled in 42 metres of water to serve as an attraction for divers.
Kristu l-Bahhar is a 3 metre high statue of Christ which was commissioned to commemorate Pope John Paul II’s visit to Malta. It was lowered onto the seabed close to St. Paul’s Islands on 26th May 1990. Ten years later it was moved to it’s new location half a kilometre off Qawra Point, next to the wreck of the MV Imperial Eagle
The wreck and the statue lie close to a reef which has a lot of natural features, including a small arch. Both the wreck and the reef and host a large assortment of marine life, including grouper, moray eels, octopus, painted combers and damsel fish.
SWDC
Photos Courtesy of Julian Goffin
Photos Courtesy of David Pace Lupi
Photos Courtesy of Oskar Pe