P31 (Patrol Boat 31, Pasewalk)
Location: P31 lies on the west coast of Comino, halfway between Lantern Point and Cominotto, in front of Alex’s. Cave dive site (36.0090° N 14.3231° E)
About the boat:
Length: approximately 52 meters.
Beam: 7 meters.
Orientation: almost upright on the seabed.
Depth: 20 meters at the bow, 18 meters at the stern
Diving experience:
Marine Life: Divers can expect to see a variety of marine life including Nudibranch, Moray Eels, Scorpionfish, Octopus, and possibly Stingrays. The wreck and surrounding area are colonized by mussels, oysters, tube worms, and other small reef fish.
Dive Conditions: The absence of a nearby reef results in a square dive profile, with a safety stop at 5 meters. It’s possible to explore the entire wreck, inside and out, in about 35 minutes.
Historical notes:
Patrol Boat P31, originally named Pasewalk, was a Kondor I class minesweeper built in East Germany in 1968-69. It served the Volksmarine (German navy) before being decommissioned in 1990 following German reunification. Malta purchased the vessel in 1992, and it was renamed P31, serving as a patrol boat for the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta. In 2009, the Malta Tourism Authority scuttled P31 off Comino island to create an artificial reef and dive site.
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