Wreck Dive, Rinella, Grand Harbor of Valletta, Malta
The robust-class deep sea rescue paddle steamer was built in England and launched on the 10th May 1910. She came to Malta in 1922 and for the next 20 years, she worked around the Maltese Islands.
The HMS Hellespont is one of the many World War II wrecks around the Maltese Island. The Hellespont was bombed the night of the 6/7th April 1942 and sunk in the Grand Harbor of Valletta by a German/Italian aircraft. As they were clearing the Grand Harbor after the war, the wreck was moved and scuttled just off Riscasoli Breakwater lighthouse, around 3 miles off the coast of Malta.
The HSM Hellespont was rediscovered by a diver in 1999. The wreck lies on a sandy bottom of a max depth of 41m.
The wreck was in total 46m long and the wreck is still intact, except there is about 15m missing from the bow, which was destroyed during the air raid in the war.
The Wooden Paddles
The visibility at the wreck is pretty good most of the time. The metal fittings for the wooden paddles are still in place but the actual paddles are long gone.
Interesting Points to see
This wreck attracts tons of marine life from damsels to tuna, and even the small guys such as hermit crabs and nudibranchs can be found. The Engine room still has the piston rods and boilers which are still intact and in place.
Experience Needed
You must be certified to dive to a depth of 40 meters to dive this site. If you wish to penetrate the wreck, you will be required to have a Wreck Diver certification. We would also recommend being a Nitrox Diver.
DIVE SITE SPECIFICATION: HMS Hellespont
- Location: Valletta, Malta
- Type Of Dive: Boat Dive
- Max Depth: 42m
- Minimum Certification: PADI Deep Diver & PADI Nitrox Diver
- For Penetration Dives: PADI Wreck Diver