Wreck of the P31 Patrol Boat

The P31 began its life far from the warm Mediterranean waters. It was built in East Germany in the late 1960s as a Kondor-class minesweeper for the German Democratic Republic's navy. After the reunification of Germany, the vessel was decommissioned and later sold to Malta in 1992. Renamed P31, it served with the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta for over a decade, patrolling the islands' waters and performing search and rescue operations.

Following its retirement, the P31 was meticulously prepared to become an artificial reef. All contaminants were removed, and strategic openings were cut to ensure safe access for divers. In August 2009, it was scuttled in a small cove off the west coast of Comino. Today, it rests upright on a white sandy bottom at a maximum depth of just 18 meters, making it one of Malta's most accessible and popular wrecks. Its shallow depth allows for long, relaxed dives, and its open structure provides numerous safe and exciting swim-throughs, from the engine room to the bridge. The wreck is teeming with life and is a perfect introduction to wreck diving for beginners, as well as a delightful dive for experienced enthusiasts.