X127 Lighter / Carolita

X127 Lighter/Carolita is an advanced wreck dive off Malta's east coast near Valletta, where a World War II era lighter (cargo barge) known as Carolita rests on the seabed. This flat-bottomed vessel, designed for transferring cargo between ships and shore, provides a different wreck diving experience from the warships and submarines that dominate Malta's collection. The lighter's flat-bottomed hull creates a distinctive low-profile wreck on the seabed, with the vessel's open cargo area and basic superstructure still identifiable. The X127 designation indicates its wartime classification as a stores lighter, one of many such vessels that kept Malta's garrison supplied during the siege. The vessel's utilitarian design contrasts with the more dramatic warship wrecks but offers its own historical interest. Marine colonisation has been thorough, with the wreck's surfaces supporting diverse Mediterranean growth. The open cargo hold has accumulated sediment and marine growth that creates a garden-like appearance, while the hull edges and structural elements support sponges and encrusting organisms. Fish populations have adopted the wreck, with groupers, bream, and damselfish in residence. The historical context connects this humble vessel to the extraordinary story of Malta's wartime supply operations. The lighters that transferred cargo from supply ships were vital links in the logistics chain that kept the island fortress fighting. The advanced rating reflects the depth and the harbour approach conditions. The wreck's low profile means careful observation is needed to appreciate its features. Visibility ranges from 10 to 25 metres in the harbour approaches. Water temperatures from 15 to 26 degrees. The X127/Carolita offers historically significant wreck diving with a different character from Malta's more famous wrecks.