Wreck Dive, Xatt l-Ahmar, Gozo
History
MT Hephaestus was an oil tanker that ran aground on 10 February 2018 after being caught in a severe storm and rough seas. The crew attempted to sail her into one of the more sheltered bays around St Paul's Bay, Malta, but soon lost control, and the vessel was beached on the rocky shoreline at Qawra Point.
After being recovered and evaluated, she was deemed irreparable, and was subsequently scuttled as a diving attraction off Xatt l-Aħmar, Gozo on 29 August 2022.
The wreck
The Hephaestus is the eastern-most wreck in Xatt L'Ahmar, and the furthest from the shore. She is 61m long with a beam of 8m, and sits bolt upright on the seabed at a depth of 46m. She is an impressive site, with a large prominent bridge, and big open holds which can be penetrated. Holes have been cut into the side of the ship and between the holds to allow easier penetration and access to the engine room.
The Red Bay
Heading back to shore, the seabed quickly rises before levelling off to a shelf at a depth of around 5m in the Red Bay. Tons of life can be found here, including octopuses and moray eels, and if you are really lucky, seahorses may also be spotted camouflaged among the sargasso weed and sea grass. As such, care should be taken to stay well above the bottom in order to avoid damaging the delicate marine life.
This 5m shelf also creates the perfect location to complete safety / deco stops while enjoying the marine life and backdrop.
The Hephaestus lies around a 15-20 minutes swim from the nearest entrance to the Red Bay, which is a separate parking spot from the usual entry point for the Gozo wrecks. Navigation to and from the wreck from the shore can be difficult and time-consuming, which should be taken into account during the dive planning. She lies around 100m to the east of the Cominoland, which is in turn around 60m from the Karwela.
Experience Needed
You must be certified to dive to a depth of at least 40 meters to dive this site, although 45m will allow you to get the most out of exploring this wreck. Nitrox is a must, as the top deck is at 40m, so there is no option to stay shallower to extend bottom times. If you wish to penetrate the wreck you will be required to have a Wreck Diver certification.
DIVE SITE SPECIFICATION: MV Karwela
- Location: Xatt l-Ahmar, Gozo
- Type Of Dive: Shore Dive / Boat Dive
- Max Depth: 46m
- Minimum Certification: PADI Deep Diver & PADI Nitrox Diver
- For Penetration Dives: PADI Wreck Diver
- Recommended: Tec 45
Image by Harri Itkonen