The Wreck of the Hephaestus off Gozo

Development of an Artificial Wreck

The wreck of the Hephaestus off Gozo—a former oil tanker that ran aground near Qawra (Malta) in February 2018—is one of the newer artificial reefs off Malta. After salvage operations, it was determined that repairing the vessel would not be cost-effective.

The former tanker was sunk upright near Xatt l-Aħmar in 2022 and lies at a depth of about 46 meters. Large, upright, with open cargo holds and a distinctive bridge—a real highlight for anyone who enjoys wreck diving.

Sinking as a Diving Attraction

On August 29, 2022, the MV Hephaestus was sunk in the immediate vicinity of the three well-known wrecks—Karwela, Cominoland, and Xlendi—off the coast of Gozo, specifically off the coast of Xatt l-Aħmar. The initiative came from the Professional Diving Schools Association of Malta, Gozo, and Comino (PDSA), which had the idea of using the wrecked tanker as a new artificial reef.

The deepest point is at the stern at around 46 meters; the wreck rises slightly toward the bow—making it suitable primarily for experienced divers. It can be reached from shore in about 20 minutes by swimming, or in about 10 minutes by scooter; however, most divers opt for a boat dive.

Before being sunk, the ship was carefully prepared: Maltese shipyards cleaned it of all oil and lubricant residues so that marine life could colonize it safely. The ship lies upright with its keel resting on the sandy seabed. Gozo already has three known wrecks in this area (Karwela, Cominoland, Xlendi); the Hephaestus is the fourth.

The dive site on Taucher.Net:
https://taucher.net/tauchplatz-wrack_der_mv_hephaestus__gozo-haz18367

Images and Discussion on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Taucher.Net/posts/pfbid(..)GxN6yZrl