One of the dive sites we run here in Malta — here's the story behind it, the depth and access, and what it takes to dive it properly.
SS Polynesien was a French ocean liner built at La Ciotat by Messageries Maritimes and launched on 18 April 1890 — 152.5m long with a 15m beam, a steel-hulled, twin-funnelled steamer with three masts and barque rig, built for hot-climate service. She ran the France-Australia route via Suez and later Far East and colonial routes, carrying up to 172 first-class, 71 second, 109 third and 234 steerage passengers. Requisitioned in the First World War and armed as a troop transport, she made her final voyage from Bizerte, Tunisia, towards Salonika carrying Serbian troops. On 10 August 1918, just three months before the Armistice, the German submarine UC-22 torpedoed her about 3km off Malta; hit on the port side near the engine room, she sank within half an hour with the loss of around twenty lives. She lies on her port side at roughly 45 degrees, uppermost structure at about 45m and the seabed at 65m. The bow is well preserved with a deck cannon, anchor and holds containing tyres and pipes; the midships is heavily torpedo-damaged around the engine room; the stern is largely intact with its deck gun and propeller. Below decks lie light fittings, bed frames and bathtubs, and her local name "Tal-Platti" (the plate ship) comes from the ceramics and bottles once scattered through her. Since 1 May 2019 Heritage Malta manages the wreck and a permit is required; strong currents and depth make this a dive for technical or very experienced divers only.
The diving here suits divers at Trimix 75 level. If you’re not there yet, these are the courses that get you there:
Already certified and just want to dive it? Come and explore it with me on open circuit or CCR — one relaxed dive a day, no rushing, as long in the water as you like.
Want to dive Le Polynesien? Tell me your certification level and your dates, and I'll plan it with you. No pressure, no hard sell — just a good dive.