Depth
0m
Home / Dive Sites / P31 Patrol Boat
Comino · Advanced Open Water · 7–20m

P31 Patrol Boat
West Comino Wreck

A 52-metre former Maltese Armed Forces patrol vessel lying upright on white sand in the channel between Comino and Cominotto. Scuttled deliberately in August 2009, the P31 is now one of Malta's most accessible wreck dives, with through-penetration from stern to bow possible for qualified divers at 7 to 20 metres.

36°00.540' N  014°19.386' E
Book This Dive Dive Conditions
7m
Min Depth
20m
Max Depth
52m
Hull Length
20m+
Avg. Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
AOW
Recommended
Depth Profile

History & Background

  • 1969
    The P31 (ex-Boltenhagen, GS08) was a 52-metre Kondor I class minesweeper built in 1969–70 in East Germany for the Volksmarine. After reunification, the vessel passed to the German Federal Coast Guard before being sold to Malta in 1997. She was renamed P31 and entered service with the Armed Forces of Malta.
  • 2009
    The P31 was deliberately scuttled in August 2009 off the south coast of Comino to create a dive attraction. She was stripped and cleaned before sinking and came to rest upright on the sandy seabed at 20m, with her highest point (mast) at approximately 6m below the surface.
  • Today
    The P31 is Comino's most popular wreck dive, accessible from Santa Marija Bay by boat or from the shore with a longer surface swim. The vessel is largely intact and upright, with multiple open hatches and the bridge accessible for exploration. Marine colonisation has been rapid and dense.

The P31 rests upright on a flat sandy seabed at 20m, stern facing south. The mast and gun mounts are visible from 6m, making it a genuinely multi-level dive. The bridge structure and pilot house sit at around 10m, accessible through the bridge windows. Below decks, the engine room and crew quarters can be penetrated by trained divers with torches. The hull is heavily colonised with sponges, tube worms, and sea anemones. Scorpionfish rest on horizontal surfaces throughout the wreck. Octopus inhabit the forward hatches, and two resident moray eels have established territories in the engine room. The flat sandy bottom around the wreck holds garden eels and flatfish. A natural combination with the Santa Marija Caves and Blue Lagoon for a full Comino day.

P31 PATROL BOAT DEPTH PROFILE (20m) OW ADV 0m 6m 10m 18m 20m Mast 6m Bridge 10m Keel 20m SURFACE (boat) 52m
Marine Life

What You Might See

Species commonly encountered at this site, based on depth and habitat. Click any card to read the full species guide.

Painted Comber underwater Malta 5–150m
Bony Fish

Painted Comber

Serranus scriba
Mediterranean Moray underwater Malta 0–100m
Bony Fish

Mediterranean Moray

Muraena helena
Black Scorpionfish underwater Malta 5–60m
Bony Fish

Black Scorpionfish

Scorpaena porcus
Common Octopus underwater Malta 0–100m
Molluscs

Common Octopus

Octopus vulgaris
Peacock Worm underwater Malta 0–100m
Worms

Peacock Worm

Sabella pavonina
Sponge Crab underwater Malta 0–50m
Crustaceans

Sponge Crab

Dromia personata
European Fan Worm underwater Malta 0–120m
Worms

European Fan Worm

Sabella spallanzanii
Red Starfish underwater Malta 0–100m
Echinoderms

Red Starfish

Echinaster sepositus
Dive Conditions

When to dive the P31

Period Water Temp Visibility Conditions
Jan–Mar 14–15°C 15–20m Good
Apr–Jun 16–21°C 20–25m Good
Jul–Sep 25–28°C 25–30m Peak
Oct–Dec 19–24°C 20–25m Good
Summer
30m
Winter
15m

Currents

The channel between Comino and Cominotto can produce a mild surge on the exposed west face, particularly in winter. The wreck itself provides shelter from any surface movement. Buoy descent is recommended.

Entry / Exit

Boat only. No shore access exists to the dive site. A surface marker buoy marks the wreck position. Divers descend on the mooring line and ascend with an SMB. Boat transfers from Comino or Malta available.

Equipment Notes

A 5mm wetsuit suits summer; 7mm recommended October through May. A primary torch is required for any penetration dive. Carry an SMB for ascent. 12L cylinders are standard for this profile.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Certification Required

An Advanced Open Water certification is recommended for penetration dives on the P31. Open Water divers may conduct an exterior dive with a guide, remaining above 18 metres on the upper hull and deck.

Penetration Preparation Required

Every penetration diver must carry a primary torch in working order. Brief the guide on your planned route before entering. Entry and exit points must be confirmed before descent. Do not enter sections not covered in the pre-dive briefing.

SMB Ascent Required

Deploy a surface marker buoy (SMB) before ascending from the wreck. Boat traffic in the Comino channel makes an unannounced open-water ascent hazardous. The SMB must be deployed at depth, not at the surface.

Mooring Line Descent Required

Descend on the mooring line. The P31 sits approximately 25 metres from the buoy; follow the guide line from the buoy to the wreck on the first dive. This establishes orientation and keeps the group together during descent.

Air Management Required

Apply a minimum rule of 100 bar at the wreck before penetrating. Plan to turn the dive at 150 bar if running a longer interior route. Surface at 50 bar or above. Communicate pressure checks throughout the dive.

Depth Limit Required

Maximum depth on the P31 is 20 metres at the bow. Do not descend beyond the seabed to investigate debris fields without guide approval. A 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres is mandatory on every ascent from this site.

Book This Dive

Dive the P31 with diveshack

diveshack operates regular guided dives to the P31 from Comino and from Malta. All dives include full equipment, guide, and boat transfer. Group sizes are kept small to preserve the quality of the experience inside the wreck. Contact us to confirm dates and check availability.

Book via WhatsApp Send an Enquiry

Contact: info@divemalta.com  ·  +356 9999 3483

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