Tug 2 is a former tugboat that was scuttled in June 2013 to form an artificial reef and a popular diving attraction off the Exiles coast in Sliema, northeastern Malta. The wreck lies upright approximately 250 m north from the dive's entry point at a depth of 22 m. Originally sunk on the sand parallel to the reef, a storm in October 2016 moved the wreck, causing it to crash into the reef bow first. The Tug 2 wreck is 30 m in length and 9.5 m in height without the mast, and is safe for divers to penetrate and explore the wheelhouse and engine room. It is a suitable dive site for all levels, and is particularly good for night wreck diving, navigation and dive leading training.
The Tug 2 wreck was built by Malta Drydocks in 1975 for the Chinese Government and spent all its working life in Malta. It was decommissioned after about 10 years in operation, and in 2000 was purchased by Bezzina Marine Services Ltd. The wreck was thoroughly cleaned and prepared to make it both environmentally safe and diver friendly before being scuttled. The wreck is easily accessible from the shore and can be combined with a dive to Exiles reef. However, divers should be aware of boat traffic, especially during summer weekends. The maximum depth of the site is 25 m, making it one of the few shallow wreck dives in Malta, suitable for PADI OWD or equivalent.
Unit Settings
| Terrain and Features: | Reef, Wreck |
|---|---|
| Entry Type: | Shore |
| Max Depth: | 25m |
| Visibility Range: | - - - |
| Experience Level: | Advanced |
| Best Gas: | 21% - 40% O2 |
Unit Settings
Unit Settings
Although we currently lack information on specific hazards at this location, their absence cannot be assumed. Your knowledge and experience with this dive site could greatly enhance our page – we invite you to share your insights.
