The wreck of the Karwela - Gozo, Maltese Islands

The MV Karwela was launched as M/S Frisia II in 1957. During 1977 she was named the "Nordpaloma" and transferred to Malta in 1986. She then sailed for Comino Marina LTD until around 2002 under her present name MV Karwela. The MV Karwela ferry measures 50.31 meter by 8.50 meter and was designed to carry 863 passengers.
The ferry was scuttled as an artificial reef for scuba divers in Xatt L-Ahmar, Gozo along with MV Cominoland on 12th August 2006. Normally dived from the shore, she is a short swim strait out from the entry point. Her bows rest in 39 metres. Shortly after sinking, a VW car adorned with graffiti and pink carpet wheel arches was also sunk onto the wreck.
Even though the wreck is a deep dive, the clear water and strong light of the Mediterranean allows shooting both underwater still photographs and video.
The wreck is becoming a haven for fish life, and the marine growth of sea squirts, sponges, hydroids and bryozoans on the superstructure provides a rich habitat for several species of nudibranch.
from Gozo Divers