Depth
0m
Wreck · 45m Max · Xatt l-Ahmar, SE Gozo

MV Cominoland

A 34-metre former M-class minelayer converted to a passenger ferry, deliberately scuttled on 12 August 2006 at Xatt l-Ahmar. Lying upright at 45m just 60 metres east of its sister wreck MV Karwela, Cominoland was stripped of all paint before scuttling, creating a natural experiment in marine colonisation that continues to evolve today.

36°01.038′N · 14°17.238′E  |  Xatt l-Ahmar, SE Gozo

45m
Max Depth
32m
Wreck Start
34m
Hull Length
20–30m
Visibility
AOW
Min Cert
16–27°
Temp
32m
Top of Wreck
45m
Max Depth
34m
Length
2006
Sunk
AOW
Min Cert
20–30m
Visibility
Site Profile

History & Background

  • 1942
    Built in England by Philip and Son Ltd as Miner VI (M6), an M-class minelayer designed for harbour defence operations during World War II.
  • 1966
    Sold and converted from military service to a passenger ferry. Began operations under the name Minor IV, later redesignated MV Minor Eagle. The vessel served the Valletta-Comino route.
  • 1976
    Renamed MV Cominoland, reflecting the Comino route it had long served. Later operated by Captain Morgan Cruises as a tourist day-tripper vessel around the Maltese islands.
  • 1980
    Briefly renamed MV Jylland II before reverting to MV Cominoland in 1982, the name it would retain for the rest of its operational life.
  • 2006
    12 August 2006: Deliberately scuttled at Xatt l-Ahmar, SE Gozo, by the Gozo Tourism Association, simultaneously with MV Karwela. Before scuttling, all paint was stripped from the hull, creating a controlled comparison with Karwela, which kept its paint.
  • Today
    Lying upright on sandy seabed at 45m, 60m east of MV Karwela. Four wrecks now occupy this site: Cominoland, Karwela, Xlendi, and Hephaestus (added 2022). Rated four out of five stars for dive quality.

The Cominoland sits upright and compact at 45 metres, its 34-metre hull considerably smaller than the adjacent Karwela. The wreck starts at 32 metres with the deck at 35 metres and the bow reaching down to 39 metres. Two decks are accessible, with openings cut before scuttling to permit safe penetration. The decision to strip the paint before sinking has produced a distinctly different colonisation pattern compared to Karwela 60 metres away. Comparing the two wrecks on the same dive provides a unique perspective on how substrate conditions influence marine settlement over two decades.

MV COMINOLAND DEPTH PROFILE (45m) ADV DEEP DEEP 0m 20m 32m 40m 45m Top 32m Deck 35m Bows 39m Keel 45m
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.

Greater Amberjack underwater Malta 20–70m
Bony Fish

Greater Amberjack

Seriola dumerili
Conger Eel underwater Malta 5–500m
Bony Fish

Conger Eel

Conger conger
Dogtooth Grouper underwater Malta 10–200m
Bony Fish

Dogtooth Grouper

Epinephelus caninus
Mediterranean Fairy Basslet underwater Malta 5–200m
Bony Fish

Mediterranean Fairy Basslet

Anthias anthias
Yellow Gorgonian underwater Malta 10–100m
Cnidarians

Yellow Gorgonian

Eunicella cavolini
Mediterranean Feather Star underwater Malta 0–200m
Echinoderms

Mediterranean Feather Star

Antedon mediterranea
European Spiny Lobster underwater Malta 5–80m
Crustaceans

European Spiny Lobster

Palinurus elephas
Basket Star underwater Malta 15–200m
Echinoderms

Basket Star

Astrospartus mediterraneus
Diving Conditions

When to Dive

Season Conditions Temp Vis Rating
Jan – Mar Cold water, settled surface. Excellent visibility when weather permits. Fewer divers on site. Thermocline possible below 25m. 15–17°C 22–30m Good
Apr – Jun Water warming through spring. Conditions improve steadily from May. Light movement possible along the wreck in April. 17–22°C 20–28m Good
Jul – Sep Peak season. Warmest water, best visibility, calm surface conditions. Heavy boat traffic in the area. Deploy SMB on every ascent. 24–27°C 25–30m Peak
Oct – Dec Excellent through October. Occasional northwest swell possible in November. Water clarity remains high. Quieter than summer. 18–24°C 22–30m Good
Average Visibility
Jan – Mar
26m
Apr – Jun
24m
Jul – Sep
29m
Oct – Dec
25m

Site Conditions

Xatt l-Ahmar is accessible by shore or boat. From shore the swim out to the Cominoland is approximately 150 metres, making the site suitable for experienced shore divers with appropriate planning. The seabed on approach is mostly sand and rock, with the wreck clearly visible from the surface in good visibility. Boat access from Mgarr Harbour removes the swim entirely. Current on site is generally light to negligible. The sandy seabed at 45 metres produces little silt disturbance provided buoyancy is managed. All four wrecks at this site lie within a relatively compact area, enabling multi-wreck dives on a single entry.

Entry

Shore entry from Xatt l-Ahmar (rated medium difficulty) or boat from Mgarr Harbour. Shore entry involves a surface swim of approximately 150 metres. Boat access strongly recommended for newer divers or those combining two wrecks in one dive.

Current

Generally light to negligible on this sheltered SE Gozo site. Occasional gentle movement along the wreck length is possible. No significant upwelling or surge. Check surface conditions before descent as weather from the northwest can affect the outer approaches.

Equipment

Minimum 5mm wetsuit year-round; 7mm or drysuit November through April. Primary torch required for deck penetration. SMB mandatory for all ascents in summer months. Two tanks advisable for a Cominoland plus Karwela combination dive.

Dive Briefing

Safety and Planning

Advanced Open Water Required

Certification

Advanced Open Water or equivalent is the minimum certification for this site. The wreck starts at 32m and the keel sits at 45m, placing the full dive within the deep recreational and sport diver range. AOW depth training must include dives to 30m or beyond before attempting the bow section.

Gas Planning

No-Decompression Limits

Plan your NDL before descent. At 45m the no-decompression limit on air is approximately 10 minutes. Time at depth should be factored against the transit time from the surface and any planned Karwela crossing. Carry enough gas for a direct ascent with reserve from the deepest point.

Required

SMB Deployment

A surface marker buoy must be deployed before leaving the wreck or mooring line on every ascent. Boat traffic above the site is significant in summer months. Deploy the SMB at depth before ascending, not at the surface. Ascend at 9 metres per minute above 15 metres.

Required

Primary Torch

Penetration of the two internal decks requires a primary torch. Carry a backup light for all interior sections. Natural light enters through the openings but corners and lower compartments are in complete darkness. Do not enter any space without adequate illumination.

Recommended

Buddy System

Always dive with a buddy at Xatt l-Ahmar. The site involves deep diving and potential penetration, both of which increase risk for solo divers. Agree on a gas turn-around pressure before descent. If diving both Cominoland and Karwela, agree the route and maximum depth for each wreck.

Note

Buoyancy Control

The interior of both accessible decks has a silt floor. Poor buoyancy reduces visibility to near zero within seconds. Practice horizontal trim before diving this site. Fin kicks should be minimal inside the wreck. A recent buoyancy refresher with diveshack is recommended for divers who have not dived wrecks for an extended period.

Book This Dive

Dive MV Cominoland with diveshack

diveshack guides the Xatt l-Ahmar site year-round from both shore and boat. Our briefings cover all four wrecks at this location, and we can arrange a triple-wreck day combining Cominoland, Karwela, and Xlendi in a single trip. All guided dives include full equipment rental, a pre-dive site briefing, and an experienced SSI instructor or divemaster throughout.

Min Cert Advanced Open Water (AOW)
Depth Range 32m – 45m
Access Shore or boat, Xatt l-Ahmar, SE Gozo
GPS 36.0173N, 14.2873E
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