MV Pippo

MV Pippo is a wreck dive located off Ahrax Point near Mellieha Bay in Malta. This 18-metre long fishery workboat, built in 1976 by Vella Boat Yard of Marsa and Philip Formosa, sank in 2004 and now lies in an upright position at a depth of about 35 metres. The wreck is quite well preserved with some fishing industry equipment still attached, like tuna cages at the stern. Although small in size, MV Pippo offers an interesting dive experience, especially for experienced divers due to its depth and the possibility of penetration, albeit limited due to space constraints.

The marine life around the MV Pippo wreck includes small fish, crabs, shrimps, and nudibranchs, with occasional sightings of a big grouper. The dive time is usually quite short as the wreck is small and the seabed around is just sand. The wreck's history adds to its intrigue; originally a research vessel, it was later transformed into a cruise boat before being sold to Azzopardi Fisheries and converted into a fish cargo boat for the Maltese tuna farming industry. The MV Pippo met its end returning from Comino to Malta with a load of tuna when it began to take on water and sank off Ahrax Point. Despite several salvage attempts, the wreck remains a testament to its varied past.