MV Imperial Eagle

The MV Imperial Eagle is a deep wreck dive located off Qawra in north-eastern Malta. This former ferry boat, which used to operate between Malta and Gozo, was scuttled in 1999 to serve as an artificial reef and a scuba diving attraction in a marine conservation area. The wreck, which is about 45 m long, sits upright on a sandy seabed, with a maximum depth of 42 m and a deck depth of 32 m. The wreck is open for penetration, with some rooms and corridors available for exploration. The wooden parts of the wreck have mostly rotted away, leaving only the metal structures and the wheel of the bridge. The site is located about half a kilometre north-east off Qawra Point and is recommended for experienced divers.

The MV Imperial Eagle is in close proximity to Qawra Reef, with its top part at 25 m. Near the wreck, divers can find a natural rock arch in the reef wall and a large anchor dating back to the 1600s, wedged between rocks and sandy bottom. In an underwater valley in front of the wreck stands the Statue of Christ (Kristu tal-Bahhara). The MV Imperial Eagle is one of many wrecks in Malta that have been scuttled as scuba diving attractions. The site is also near other scuttled wrecks such as Tugboat Rozi, Tug 10 and St. Michael, Um El Faroud, Xlendi, Cominoland and Karwela, P29, P31, and Tug 2.