HMS Hellespont – Valletta

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Nov 262013
 

HMS Hellenspont, also known as the Paddle Steamer, was a steam-powered tug brought to Malta in 1922.  It was originally sunk in the harbour in an aircraft attack in April 1942.  At the end of World War II, as the harbour was being cleared, it was lifted and dumped off Rinella, where she now lies.

With a maximum depth of around 42 metres and a minimum depth of 35 metres, this dive site should only be attempted by advanced divers with deep-diving experience.  It is an ideal dive for entry-level technical divers. The wreck lies on a rocky bottom and there is not much natural light. There is significant damage to the front part of the wreck, but the back is still relatively intact and you can still see a lot of details including the large boilers, the remains of where the paddles used to be, the rudder and ammunition lying on the seafloor. The wreck and surrounding rocks are also home to moray eels and many types of fish including damsel fish, bream and painted comber.

Early Morning Dive Zurrieq 31st Oct 2013

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Oct 312013
 

An early morning pleasure dive, to the Um El Faroud in Zurrieq.

The wreck sits upright on the sandy seabed southwest of Wied iz-Zurrieq near Qrendi. Um El Faroud weighs 10,000 tons and is 115 metres (377 ft)[contradiction] long.[2] The depth to the top of the bridge is 18 metres (59 ft) and 25 metres (82 ft) to the main deck. Scuba divers might come across some squid and barracudas at the stern. The wreck can be entered fairly easily, but due to its size, this should be restricted only to divers with advanced wreck diving training.
The vessel measures 109.53 metres (359.4 ft)[contradiction] in length, and has a beam of 15.5 metres (51 ft); the height of the vessel from keel to funnel top is approximately 22 metres (72 ft).[3] After a bad storm in winter 2005/6 the ship has now broken in two.