P29 Patrol Boat Malta -39 meters.

P29 Minesweeper started life on cold October morning of 1969 as sheet steel took formation over the next few months, then on 22nd may 1970 she was launched and became known to the Germany navy as ‘boltenhagen’ (GS09),she was kondor I-class  mine sweeper for the east Germany navy until unification of east and west Germany became one, she was decommissioned in June 1996 till she was bought by Malta in July 1997 and re-named P29.

She was then used to patrol costal water around malta with immigration and smuggling at the top of their list of daily patrols, till she was then decommissioned in 2004, And she was bought by Malta tourism authority in 2005,with plans to turn her into an artificial reef for divers which took place on 14th August 2007 after she was cleaned from all marine pollutants and oils.

Now sitting just off the coast of cirkewwa port at a depth of 33 meters and sitting up-right, once in the water at the training area, swim to the ledge which is around 5/6 meters deep, you should see the drop off to 22/25 meters now take a bearing 320.c and follow out for approx 110/120 meters, watch out for strong currents, now you should be on the stern, swimming towards the bow a lot of the doors have been removed to make it easier to enter the wreck, it’s a great wreck for penetration,  and for beginner’s to learn more about deep wrecks and what’s involved, penetration recommended to do with guide and for more experienced divers due to depth and overhead environment.

Now on the bow a deck gun has been made and fitted by local divers which is great for u/w photos as we leave the deck gun heading back up to the bridge you can enter with care as its tight but you can swim round it easily then move a bit shallower to the crow nest and here it is normally full of squid/calamari eggs hanging in pearl white strings like pearl necklaces, staying at this level around 17 meters you can start heading back to land, as you swim across the exhaust stacks watching other divers swimming onto her, now you have left her behind you think about what you have seen and its full of marine life, from eagle rays, groupers to barracuda swimming around her hull while upon the ship morays sticking their heads out of holes and on the hand railings and decks can be found covered in  brightly colorful Nudibranchs of all types sizes and patterns’ they are just to beautiful to take photos of.

 

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