ANNE BEWA

The ANNE BEWA was a modern Danish motor freighter on a routine voyage from Marseille, France, to Alexandria, Egypt, in August 1971. Her holds were packed with a diverse mix of general cargo that included paper, chemicals, and, most notably, brand-new motor cars. Shortly after leaving port, a fire was discovered raging in the number one hold. Despite the crew's best efforts, the blaze, fueled by the flammable cargo, quickly grew out of control.

Faced with a potential catastrophe, the captain made the difficult decision to intentionally beach the vessel near Cap Cépet to prevent her from sinking in a busy shipping lane and to give firefighters a chance to save her. The attempt was ultimately futile. The fire consumed the forward section of the ship, and after being declared a constructive total loss, she was abandoned to the sea, eventually breaking in two and sinking just offshore.

Resting in a mere 10 meters of water, the ANNE BEWA is now one of the most popular and accessible wrecks in the Marseille region. Its shallow depth and typically calm Mediterranean conditions make it an ideal site for novice wreck divers, photographers, and night dives. The wreck is broken into several sections, allowing for easy exploration of the holds where divers can still see the skeletal chassis of the cars she was carrying. The structure is covered in colorful sponges and is home to a rich variety of marine life, including moray eels, octopus, and schools of damselfish.