P-29 - Patrol Boat

The P-29 is an advanced wreck dive at Cirkewwa on Malta's northern tip, where a former East German patrol boat was scuttled in 2007 to create an artificial reef. This 52-metre vessel sits upright on a sandy bottom, providing an excellent wreck penetration experience in Malta's crystal-clear northern waters. The patrol boat's military design gives it a distinctive profile, with a sharply raked bow, low superstructure, and a stern section that housed the vessel's propulsion machinery. The wreck was carefully prepared before sinking, with access points created and hazardous materials removed, making it one of Malta's safest and most diver-friendly wrecks. The bridge area retains some of the vessel's military instruments and equipment, creating atmospheric scenes of maritime abandonment. The engine room provides the wreck's deepest penetration opportunity, with the vessel's powerful machinery still in situ. The deck areas allow open-water exploration of the vessel's external features, including gun mounts and deck fittings. Marine colonisation of the P-29 is progressing steadily, with sponges, tunicates, and algae establishing on the hull surfaces. Fish have adopted the wreck as habitat, with groupers, damselfish, and wrasses in residence. The wreck's position near the Rozi tugboat allows both wrecks to be visited on a single dive. The advanced rating reflects the depth and overhead environments within the wreck. Malta's visibility, frequently exceeding 30 metres at this site, means the entire vessel is visible during descent, creating spectacular approach views. The Cirkewwa area offers convenient shore access via a concrete platform, and the wreck is reached by a short surface swim. Water temperatures range from 15 to 26 degrees. The P-29 is one of Malta's most popular and rewarding wreck dives.