Wreck · 18–32m / 59-105ft
Rozi Tugboat
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.
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.
MV Rozi was a steel tugboat built by Charles Hill & Sons in Bristol in 1958, about 33m long with an 8.5m beam. She began as Rossmore for the Johnston-Warren Line in Liverpool, became Rossgarth with the Rea Towing Company in 1969, and in 1972 was bought by Mifsud Brothers and brought to Malta. After working for Malta Ship Towage and then Tug Malta from 1981 — when she gained the name Rozi — she spent two decades on harbour duties in Grand Harbour. Decommissioned in 1992 and passed to Captain Morgan Cruises, she was scuttled off Cirkewwa on 10 September 1992 as an attraction for tourist submarine trips (which no longer run). She rests upright on sand about 130m from the shore entry, roughly 35m long, mast from about 20m and most of the hull between 30 and 34m. Her engine and propeller were removed before sinking but she is otherwise intact, with good penetration for qualified divers. Now one of Malta's most-dived wrecks and a thriving artificial reef, she is usually paired with the P29 or the Cirkewwa Arch.
The Rozi sits upright, intact, and visible from the surface on a flat day — her mast breaks 20m and the hull runs from 28m to 34m on the sand. She's about 150m from the Cirkewwa shore entry, usually reached along the bottom past the old anchor and the Frank Pembridge memorial plaque. Small by wreck standards (33m long) but beautifully preserved and absolutely smothered in marine life.
Scorpionfish own every ledge. The wheelhouse and engine compartment both allow penetration for trained divers. Moray eels have claimed specific crevices and don't move for anyone; large grouper hang in mid-water off the bow as if posing. In summer the ambient light is excellent — colours hold well without a torch, though you want one for the interior.
The Rozi is almost always paired with the P29, sitting 150m to the west on the same sandy plain. The sequence is typically P29 first (deeper, at 34m), transit west at depth to the Rozi, then ascend onto the tugboat for the second half of the dive. On a single-cylinder no-deco dive you're choosing one over the other properly; on a planned decompression dive you can give both the time they deserve. She's excellent for photography — reliable subjects, reliable conditions, reliable visibility.
The diving here suits divers at Decompression Procedures 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 Rozi Tugboat? Tell me your certification level and your dates, and I'll plan it with you. No pressure, no hard sell — just a good dive.