Depth
0m
Home/ Dive Sites/ Schnellboot S-31
Off Malta · Technical · 63-66m · War Grave

Schnellboot S-31
Designated War Grave, 1942

War Grave Notice: Schnellboot S-31 is a designated war grave. 13 German sailors were killed when S-31 struck a mine on 10 May 1942. An unexploded torpedo remains inside the hull. A Heritage Malta permit is required before any access. This site is presented here as a place of historical significance, not as a recreational attraction.

Schnellboot S-31 is a designated war grave. The German E-boat struck a mine on 10 May 1942 with the loss of 13 crew members, 13 were rescued. She lies at 63-66m. A Heritage Malta permit is required. An unexploded torpedo remains inside the hull. Access is strictly managed and any visit must be conducted with full awareness of the site's status.

35 deg 53.400'N · 14 deg 34.200'E | Off Malta coast (Heritage Malta managed)

66m
Max Depth
63m
Min Depth
1942
Lost
15-25m
Visibility
XR/TEC
Cert
17-27°C
Temp
Arrange Access Safety Briefing
63m
Min Depth
66m
Max Depth
Technical
Level
15-25m
Avg Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
Permit req.
Access
Depth Profile

History & Background

  • 10 May 1942
    Schnellboot S-31, a Type S-38 German motor torpedo boat, struck a mine while operating in Maltese waters during the Siege of Malta. 13 crew were rescued; 13 were lost. The boat sank rapidly.
  • Post-war
    The wreck lay undiscovered for decades. The location was not publicly documented until the Malta Shipwreck Survey project began systematic assessment of Malta's offshore underwater sites.
  • 1 May 2019
    Heritage Malta assumed management of the site. All access requires a pre-issued Heritage Malta permit. The site is listed as a war grave under Maltese law and international convention.
  • Today
    S-31 lies at 63-66m. An unexploded torpedo remains in one of the torpedo tubes. Heritage Malta regulates access strictly. Divers must not enter the hull or approach the torpedo storage area.

Schnellboot S-31 carries one of the most complex ethical contexts of any dive site in Malta. A vessel containing the remains of crew members, an unexploded weapon, and the status of a protected war grave demands the highest standard of conduct from any visitor. diveshack guides this site for experienced technical divers who approach with appropriate preparation and respect. Heritage Malta permits are arranged as part of the booking process. This is not a recreational dive.

0m 20m 40m 60m 63m 66m UXO 63-66m | War Grave | Heritage Malta permit Scale: 5px/m
Points of Interest

Schnellboot S-31: the site

The following describes what is visible from outside the hull. No penetration is permitted under Heritage Malta permit conditions.

Schnellboot S-31 hull at 63-65m
63-65m

Hull

The S-38 class Schnellboot's distinctive wooden hull, with mahogany planking over aluminium alloy frames, is largely intact. The construction method differs markedly from steel warships. Observe from a respectful distance in keeping with the site's status.

Torpedo tubes at 64m - approach prohibited
64m

Torpedo Tubes

S-38 class boats carried two 533mm torpedo tubes forward. One tube still contains an unexploded torpedo. Approach is strictly prohibited by Heritage Malta permit conditions and must be communicated clearly in the pre-dive briefing. The area is visible from distance only.

Engine compartment visible at 65m
65m

Engine Compartment

S-31 was powered by three Daimler-Benz marine diesels. The engine compartment is visible externally. Penetration is not permitted under permit conditions. The three-engine configuration was characteristic of the Schnellboot's high-speed operational requirement.

Stern at maximum depth 66m with AA cannon
66m

Stern

Maximum depth of the site. The stern 20mm anti-aircraft cannon mounting is visible. The rudder and propeller shafts are intact. This is the deepest point of the visit and time here must be planned within the overall gas and decompression budget.

Dive Site Card

Collect the card.

Schnellboot S-31 Wreck Malta dive site card
Dive Conditions

Site conditions

MonthWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15°C12-20mPermit required; winter planning lead time
Apr-Jun20°C18-25mGood visibility; permit processing allows spring planning
Jul-Sep27°C20-28mBest season; optimal visibility
Oct-Dec22°C15-22mGood; permit required year-round
Summer visibility
Winter visibility

Currents

Open water, variable currents possible. Check sea state and wind before departure. Surface conditions are the primary go/no-go factor for this offshore site.

Entry / Exit

Boat only. Heritage Malta permit must be carried and presented if inspected. diveshack deploys a descent line to the site. No permanent shotline.

Equipment Notes

Full technical kit. XR Extended Range or Trimix. Stage cylinder for decompression gas. Two DSMBs per buddy pair. Permit documentation to be carried by lead diver.

Dive Briefing

Safety and site protocol

War Grave Notice: Schnellboot S-31 is a legally designated war grave. 13 German sailors who died here are considered buried at this site. Maltese law and international convention govern access. Failure to comply with Heritage Malta permit conditions is a criminal offence.

War Grave Protocol Mandatory

This is a designated war grave. 13 crew members died here on 10 May 1942. No entry into the hull under any circumstances. No removal of any artefact. Conduct throughout must reflect the site's status.

Unexploded Torpedo Strictly prohibited

One torpedo remains in a forward tube. Do NOT approach the bow torpedo area under any circumstances. Heritage Malta permit conditions are explicit. diveshack's pre-dive briefing will identify the prohibited area precisely.

Heritage Malta Permit Required

No dive is permitted without a valid Heritage Malta permit. Contact diveshack to arrange. The permit must be carried by the dive leader. Failure to hold a valid permit is a criminal offence under Maltese law.

Technical Certification Mandatory

XR Extended Range or Trimix certification minimum. This site is not an Advanced recreational dive. Proof of certification is required before diveshack will confirm booking.

Decompression Required at 66m

Full decompression planning required at 63-66m on any gas mix. Stage cylinder carrying decompression gas is mandatory. Agree and commit to your deco schedule before descent.

Emergency

Mater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Valletta. DAN emergency number confirmed before departure. diveshack carries onboard oxygen and first aid. This is a two-diver minimum operation.

Arrange Access

Schnellboot S-31 with diveshack

diveshack organises guided technical access to Schnellboot S-31, including Heritage Malta permit assistance, full technical briefing, site-specific conduct guidelines covering the war grave and unexploded ordnance protocols, and surface cover boat with onboard oxygen. This is a two-diver minimum operation with mandatory pre-dive briefing. Contact us well in advance as Heritage Malta permit processing requires lead time.

Heritage Malta permit required. This is a designated war grave. diveshack manages the permit application process on your behalf. No access is possible without a valid permit in hand. The unexploded torpedo on board means that permit conditions regarding approach zones are non-negotiable and will be covered in full during the pre-dive briefing.
Enquire via WhatsApp Send an Enquiry

Technical dive package for this site:

Heritage Malta permit fee is additional to the dive package price. diveshack will advise on current permit requirements and costs when you contact us. Proof of technical certification is required to confirm any booking for this site.