P29 Patrol Boat

The P29 was built in East Germany in 1969–70 as the Kondor I class minesweeper Boltenhagen. She later served with the Armed Forces of Malta as patrol boat P29 until 2004. The Malta Tourism Authority had her cleaned and scuttled about 150 metres off Ċirkewwa on 14 August 2007 as a dive site.

The 52-metre wreck sits upright on sand at about 35 metres, with the top of the mast and bridge at around 12 metres. There are many openings to look into, and triggerfish and other fish gather around the tower. Much of the dive is spent between 20 and 30 metres.

It is a shore dive from Susie’s Pool or the lighthouse at Ċirkewwa, a swim of about ten minutes; in summer a yellow buoy marks the spot. Watch your bottom time, and keep good buoyancy inside to avoid silt.