ANTONIO E FRANCESCO - Comino

The Antonio E Francesco is a bit of a local legend, sunk back in '86 after an unfortunate encounter with the MV 'Couple Cross'. We love this wreck for its character, even though it’s deep – topping out at 55 metres. You’ll definitely need your advanced certs and good air consumption. Dropping down, the trawler emerges from the blue, upright and surprisingly intact on the seabed. It’s got that classic fishing boat shape, wheelhouse still there, fishing gear draped across the deck. Inside, if you're comfortable with a penetration, the holds are surprisingly open, offering glimpses of rusted machinery and collapsed decking. We've often found conger eels peeking out from behind bulkhead openings and schools of glasseyes schooling in the darker corners. Look closely at the hull for nudibranchs, especially around the growth. The sheer depth often means fewer divers, giving it a peaceful, almost solemn feel. We’d suggest diving it mid-morning; the light plays really nicely off the deck, illuminating the structure without being too harsh.

Location
Comino, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
36.583332, 15.233334
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
55m

Wreck History - ANTONIO E FRANCESCO

Year Sunk
1986
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
collision

The Antonio e Francesco was a hard-working fishing trawler plying the waters of the Mediterranean. Its career came to an abrupt and tragic end on July 30, 1986. While navigating the channel between Malta and Gozo, it was involved in a collision with the much larger Panamanian-flagged motor vessel, the Couple Cross. The impact was catastrophic for the small trawler, which quickly foundered and sank beneath the waves.

Today, the Antonio e Francesco lies upright on a sandy seabed at a depth of 55 meters, just off the coast of the small island of Comino. This depth places it firmly in the realm of technical diving, requiring specialized training and equipment. The wreck is relatively small but remarkably intact, offering a complete vessel to explore. Divers can admire its classic trawler lines, the wheelhouse, and the fishing gear still present on its decks. The clear Maltese waters often provide excellent visibility, making the descent onto this perfectly preserved time capsule a truly memorable experience for qualified tech divers.

Best Time to Dive in Comino

The warmest water temperatures in Comino occur in August, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 15.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 16.4°C
  • February: 15.5°C
  • March: 15.3°C
  • April: 16.2°C
  • May: 18.7°C
  • June: 22.9°C
  • July: 26.9°C
  • August: 28.1°C
  • September: 27.3°C
  • October: 24.9°C
  • November: 22.2°C
  • December: 19.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Comino

Nearest Dive Centres to ANTONIO E FRANCESCO

Marine Life in Comino

Home to 24 recorded species including 12 reef fish, 4 sharks & rays, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 seagrass & algae, 2 hard corals, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANTONIO E FRANCESCO

Based on average water temperature of 21.1°C, currents 2 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 21°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories