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.
Originally HMS Oakley (L72), this Hunt-class (Type II) escort destroyer was built by Vickers-Armstrongs and launched on 30 October 1940 — about 85m long, 9.5m beam, crew of 168. She was transferred to the Polish Navy in 1941 and renamed ORP Kujawiak. Her combat career was brief: in June 1942 she joined Force X at Gibraltar for Operation Harpoon, escorting a relief convoy to besieged Malta. In the early hours of 16 June 1942, as the convoy neared Grand Harbour and another ship struck a minefield, Kujawiak hit a mine on her port side while moving to help. She listed heavily and sank within thirty minutes at 01:20, with the loss of 13 Polish servicemen. She came to rest several kilometres east of Valletta at about 100m, her stern buckled on impact. The wreck lay undiscovered until a Polish expedition found her on 22 September 2014; designated a war grave, she opened to permitted divers on 1 May 2019 under Heritage Malta. She lies on her port side, stern to north, in good condition apart from the impact damage, rich with marine life including lobsters — a demanding deep technical dive with limited bottom time.
The diving here suits divers at Advanced Trimix 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 ORP Kujawiak? Tell me your certification level and your dates, and I'll plan it with you. No pressure, no hard sell — just a good dive.