Tug Boat 2 Wreck

Tug Boat 2 Wreck, Sliema, Malta

Depth: 15m (avg), 25m (max)

Level: Open Water Diver or equivalent

Overview:

Tug Boat 2, a former working tugboat, now rests on the seabed as an artificial reef, attracting both scuba and freedivers. Scuttled in June 2013, it has since become a popular dive site, offering a mix of wreck exploration and marine encounters.

History & Background:

• Service History: Built in 1975 by Malta Drydocks for the Chinese Government and originally named Tuo Lun Er Hao, the tugboat spent its operational years in Malta. After a decade of service, it was decommissioned and later acquired by Bezzina Marine Services Ltd. in 2000.
• Scuttling: On the morning of June 20, 2013, Tug Boat 2 was intentionally sunk on a sandy seabed to create an artificial reef, enhancing the local marine ecosystem and providing divers with a new wreck to explore.

Wreck Details:

• Dimensions: Approximately 30 meters in length and 9.5 meters in height (excluding the mast).
• Depth: The wreck lies at an average depth of 15 meters, reaching a maximum depth of 22 meters.
• Position: Initially scuttled upright on the sand, the wreck has since shifted, with its bow now resting against the reef.

Dive Highlights:

• Accessibility: The site can be accessed by both shore and boat, though the long swim from shore makes boat access preferable for ease of entry.
• Wreck Features: Divers can explore the wheelhouse, engine room, and open sections of the wreck, offering insight into the tugboat’s past.
• Marine Life: Divers can expect to encounter moray eels, octopuses, cuttlefish, scorpionfish, and cow breams, along with fireworms, red sponges, soft corals, cardinalfish, damselfish, rainbow wrasse, painted comber, sea urchins, starfish, and patches of Mediterranean seagrass.

Why Visit?

Tug Boat 2 offers a unique combination of history and underwater adventure. Its accessible depth, engaging wreck structure, and growing marine ecosystem make it an exciting site for both wreck enthusiasts and marine life lovers. Whether you’re a beginner exploring your first wreck or an experienced diver looking for a new site, Tug Boat 2 is a must-visit in Malta’s underwater landscape.