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Off Sliema, NE Malta · Technical Trimix · 70m

Fairey Swordfish
WWII biplane at 70m

A Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber resting at 70m off the Sliema coast, one of the few diveable Swordfish wrecks in the world. The aircraft that crippled the Italian fleet at Taranto in 1940 and damaged the Bismarck in 1941 served Malta throughout the Siege. This example lies upright on sand with its distinctive biplane wing configuration intact.

35°54.600'N · 14°31.200'E | Off Sliema, NE Malta (approx)
70m
Max Depth
70m
Min Depth
1943
Year Lost
20-30m
Visibility
XR Trimix
Cert Req.
17-27°C
Water Temp
Book This Dive Dive Conditions
70m
Min Depth
70m
Max Depth
Trimix
Level
20-30m
Avg. Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
May-Oct
Best Season
Depth Profile

History & Background

  • 1940-1942
    825 Naval Air Squadron and other Fleet Air Arm units operated Fairey Swordfish from Malta, attacking Axis convoys and harbour installations throughout the Siege. The aircraft's slow speed (maximum 222km/h) and fabric construction made it extremely vulnerable to fighters, yet its crews flew night missions against heavily defended targets.
  • 1943
    This Swordfish was lost due to engine failure in 1943, ditching after departure from Hal Far airfield. Both crew survived the ditching. The aircraft sank to 70m with its biplane wing configuration largely intact.
  • June 2017
    Located by technical divers in June 2017 during survey work off the Sliema coast. The fixed depth of 70m and flat sand setting have kept the wreck in good condition since its discovery.
  • Today
    At 70m on flat sand, the biplane configuration is immediately recognisable. Upper and lower wings are present. The Pegasus radial engine sits at the nose. One of the most historically significant aircraft wrecks in the Mediterranean.

The Fairey Swordfish holds a unique place in WWII aviation history. At Taranto in November 1940, Swordfish from HMS Illustrious crippled three Italian battleships in the first carrier strike in history. At 70m this wreck sits at the technical depth limit for open-circuit Trimix. For qualified divers the reward is extraordinary: a biplane torpedo bomber intact on the seabed. A natural pairing with the Hawker Hurricane for a Malta aviation technical programme.

FAIREY SWORDFISH DEPTH PROFILE (70m) TEC 0 18 40 70 70m BIPLANE WINGS
Points of Interest

Fairey Swordfish: what to look for

Fairey Swordfish biplane wings at 70m Malta
70m

Biplane Wing Assembly

Both upper and lower wing assemblies are present. The fabric covering is long gone but the wire-braced wooden wing structure survives under marine encrustation. The span of the upper wing is approximately 13.9m.

Bristol Pegasus radial engine Swordfish Malta
70m

Bristol Pegasus Engine

The nine-cylinder Bristol Pegasus radial engine at the nose of the fuselage. Individual cylinder heads are visible around the cowling. The engine is one of the most intact identifiable elements of the wreck.

Torpedo cradle mount on Swordfish Malta wreck
70m

Torpedo Cradle Mount

The Swordfish's primary weapon was the 18-inch Mk XII torpedo carried under the centreline. The torpedo cradle below the fuselage is present though no torpedo remains. This confirms the aircraft's torpedo bomber variant.

Open cockpit Swordfish WWII biplane Malta 70m
70m

Open Cockpit

The characteristic open biplane cockpit with its rear gunner/observer position. The instrument panel is no longer legible but the cockpit coaming and seat frames remain. The tandem crew positions distinguish the Swordfish from single-seat aircraft at this depth.

Dive Site Card

Collect the card.

Fairey Swordfish Aircraft Wreck Malta dive site card
Dive Conditions

When to dive the Fairey Swordfish

MonthWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15-17°C15-25mWinter boat ops require weather window. Site accessible.
Apr-Jun17-22°C20-28mImproving visibility. Good for technical planning.
Jul-Sep24-27°C22-30mPeak season. Best visibility and surface conditions.
Oct-Dec19-23°C18-25mGood through October. Weather variable from November.
Summer visibility
Winter visibility

Currents

Open water off Sliema coast. Variable depending on sea state. Check Windguru and Windy for NE Malta before committing. Current assessment at surface is mandatory before descent to 70m.

Entry / Exit

Boat dive only. GPS descent to a fixed depth of 70m. No mooring buoy on site. Dive from a suitable technical dive vessel with dedicated surface support and at least one tender.

Equipment Notes

Trimix mandatory. Stage cylinder strongly recommended. 7mm wetsuit year-round or drysuit. Primary torch plus backup. Two SMBs per buddy pair minimum. Computer set for appropriate gas mix.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Trimix Required

70m is beyond safe air narcosis limits for any purposeful dive. XR Trimix or Heliox is mandatory. No dives to this site on air. Diver must hold a minimum XR Trimix certification from SSI or equivalent agency.

No Decompression Limits

NDL at 70m on even a Trimix bottom mix is very short. This is a decompression dive. Full deco schedule planned and confirmed before descent. Do not improvise decompression in the water.

DSMB Mandatory

Blue water ascent from 70m. Two DSMBs per buddy pair minimum. Deploy from the first deco stop. Do not ascend without a deployed DSMB in open water. Reel and spool per diver.

Wing Structure Fragility

The wire-braced biplane structure is fragile under marine encrustation. Do not touch the wings or bracing wires. Contact can collapse sections. Maintain neutral buoyancy throughout the dive.

Boat-Only Access

No shot line is permanently installed. Navigation to GPS position required. Surface team must maintain visual contact with DSMBs throughout the ascent and be ready to recover divers immediately.

Emergency Contacts

Mater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Malta. DAN Europe emergency line confirmed before departure. Surface support team to have emergency contacts accessible throughout the operation.

Book This Dive

Dive the Fairey Swordfish with diveshack

The Fairey Swordfish at 70m is one of Malta's most historically significant technical dives. diveshack operates guided technical boat dives to this site, with full briefing on aircraft history, navigation to the GPS position, and support throughout the decompression ascent.

Contact diveshack to confirm your Trimix certification and discuss gas planning before booking. Group size is limited to ensure adequate surface support for technical operations.

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Tec dive package for this site:

The Swordfish pairs well with the Hawker Hurricane and Spitfire Mk Vc for a Malta WWII aviation technical programme.