Oil tanker Um El Faroud

Um El Faroud is the best wreck dive in Malta, at least for recreational divers. MV Um El Faroud was a Libyan oil tanker that was scuttled off the coast of Wied iz-Zurrieq in 1998 as an artificial reef and a scuba diving attraction, after suffering damage in an explosion at the dry docks. The overall length of Um El Faroud is 110 m with a beam of about 16 m. The wreck sits upright on a sandy bottom at the depths of 15 m (the funnel) to 36 m (propeller). The tanker was prepared for diving before scuttling by removing all doors and windows and cutting entry and exit holes for divers. Um El Faroud offers lots of penetration possibilities for experienced wreck divers.

Um El Faroud broke in two during a heavy storm in winter 2005-2006. The two sections have moved so much that the port side of the bow section almost aligns with the starboard side of the stern section and there is a few meters wide gap between them. The heavier stern section has also settled deeper, while the bow section has tilted forwards. Um El Faroud wreck lies parallel to the West Reef, her stern closest to the valley and starboard side towards the reef. The wreck is located approximately 150 m southwest of the entry/exit point in Wied iz-Zurrieq and is usually dived from the shore. Halfway to the wreck is a diving helmet statue as a landmark.

Location: Wied iz-Zurrieq, Malta.