The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has recently approved the scuttling of another Kondor class Patrol Boat which has been sitting derelict for the past four years at Cassar Shipyards.
The Mepa looked at five possible sites, yet it was decided to sink the 54-metre vessel between Ghajnsielem and Comino. The Mepa also made provisions to safeguard wildlife there as certain birds fish near the spot. All is positive.
The other patrol boat which was sunk in Cirkewwa proved to be a very popular dive site, military wrecks are always interesting to divers. This one, we are sure, will provide a very attractive boat entry dive which is, obviously, accessible from both Malta side and Gozo side.
It is being sunk to a depth of 40 metres. Slightly on the deep side for recreational divers, but it should provide plenty of bottom time without the need for decompression.
There were initial worries that in inclement weather, the vessel’s mast might cause problems if boats were to use the ‘behind Comino’ route, but subsequent checks have shown that the mast has already been removed and that was through the effects on natural deterioration. The P31, as mentioned, has lain in Marsa for the past four years and no maintenance was done, so this should also mean that there should be little, if any, anti-fouling paint on the hull.
The choice of site is a good one, however, the authorities might do well to consider some alternative sites. At present, most of the wreck dives available are either off Gozo, Qawra or Cirkewwa.
There is of course the very popular Um el Faroud in Zurrieq and the two tugboats in Marsascala, but there is a real need to ‘spread the wealth’ so to speak. This is for more than one reason. Many might think that it is simply increasing dive sites around Malta and Gozo to allow access to people from all over. This is true, but there is a much more important reason to do this.
When the ‘wind is wrong’, more often that not, divers are constrained to harbour dives, or the sheltered side of Zurrieq. If people are here on holiday for three or four days (yes that’s what divers usually do), and the wind is not favourable, they might have lost out on a good diving holiday.
By spreading the wrecks according to the prevailing wind, Malta could almost guarantee good conditions for diving, especially in the summer. Of course, many considerations have to be taken into account, especially in terms of wildlife and potential damage, but it makes sense, good sense, and the powers that be should take note.
Diving in Malta, and in particular Gozo, is fast earning a reputation to be the best, not only in Europe, but the whole Mediterranean. While we acknowledge that the MTA and the Tourism Ministry are striving for even more business, we offer some suggestions.
The major dive entry points (Zurrieq, Cirkewwa, Qawra and those of Gozo) should be better serviced. While it might be grandiose to envisage tank filling stations, rental shops and the like, we suggest start small and think bigger as you go along. What divers need and want are a few simple facilities such as a nice flat area to kit up, a place to rinse and wash kit and changing rooms.
We have the clearest and some of the most interesting dive sites in the Med, just a few simple infrastructural goodies could make us the best around.