MV Imperial Eagle, Lockheed Neptune & Tug 2

MV Imperial Eagle

The MV Imperial Eagle wreck, situated off Qawra in north-eastern Malta, is a notable deep wreck dive site with a rich history and fascinating underwater features. Originally launched as the New Royal Lady in 1938, the Imperial Eagle served various roles, including being an excursion ship and a ferry between Malta and Gozo. During World War II, it was used for transport duties by the Royal Navy. In 1958, it was sold to Malta, renamed Imperial Eagle, and operated as a ferry carrying passengers and vehicles between Malta and Gozo.

By 1999, the Imperial Eagle was decommissioned and scuttled about half a kilometre off Qawra Point to serve as the main attraction of an underwater marine park for divers. The wreck lies upright on a sandy seabed at a depth of 42 meters, with its deck at 32 meters. The wreck, measuring around 45 meters in length and with a beam of 9 meters, is open for penetration, allowing divers to swim through some rooms and corridors. However, most of the wooden parts have rotted away, leaving primarily the metal structures intact.

The site is renowned for its proximity to the Qawra Reef and the Statue of Christ (Kristu tal-Bahhara), located in an underwater valley about 30 meters from the wreck’s bow. Divers can also explore a nearby natural rock arch in the reef wall and an ancient anchor wedged between rocks and the sandy bottom.

Due to its depth and the potential for penetration diving, the MV Imperial Eagle wreck is recommended for experienced divers.

Lockheed P2V Neptune

A Lockheed P2V Neptune aircraft built in the USA as a maritime patrol aircraft and submarine hunter, known in the Royal Air Force as the Neptune MR.1, crashed during a landing at Luqa Airport on 13 January 1956.  After salvaging usable parts, the aircraft was sold for filming and sunk in the late 1950s for underwater scenes in the film The Silent Enemy, released in 1958.

The wreck lies about 500 metres off the shore of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq on Malta’s northeast coast. Divers can explore the remains of the aircraft at a depth of 32 metres, resting on a seabed of sand and meadows of Posidonia sea grasses. What remains of the Lockheed P2V Neptune aircraft are mainly parts of the fuselage, wings with engine covers and other wing parts partially buried in the sand nearby.

The surrounding reef and cultural significance of the wreck make it an interesting dive site worth exploring at least once.

This wreck was opened to divers in 2015.

Tug 2 wreck

The Tug 2 wreck near Sliema, Malta, offers a nice dive site for enthusiasts of all levels. Originally built by Malta Drydocks in 1975 for the Chinese Government and named Tuo Lun Er Hao, this tugboat has a long history. It was involved in the China Dock project in Grand Harbour, Valletta, and underwent several name changes before being decommissioned and eventually acquired by Bezzina Marine Services Ltd. in 2000.

In June 2013, Tug 2 was scuttled off the Exiles coast in Sliema to create an artificial reef and dive attraction. The vessel, measuring 30 meters in length and 9.5 meters in height (excluding the mast), now rests in an upright position at a depth of 22 meters. Interestingly, a storm in October 2016 shifted the wreck, moving it closer to the reef and turning it 90 degrees clockwise.

The wreck is accessible for Open Water Divers or higher, and it’s especially suitable for night wreck diving and navigation training. Despite the removal of parts that could harm the marine environment, the wheelhouse and engine room still offer plenty to explore, including safe penetration opportunities. Divers can expect to find a variety of marine life, including numerous Nudibranchs. It’s worth noting that boat traffic can be an issue, particularly during summer weekends, so caution and the use of a DSMB (Delayed Surface Marker Buoy) are advisable.