Today (the 13th of February 2021) marks 40 years since the Maldive Victory wreck has been underwater. Maldives Victory Wreck is a favourite amongst divers and is one of the most famous wrecks in the Maldives. The Maldive Victory, previously called the Malatian was built in Liverpool, United Kingdom, home of the Beatles, in 1958. Which was around the time the fab four started to perform. The Maldive Victory was a cargo vessel. On the 13th of February 1981 which was coincidentally a Friday, the ship struck the Hulhulé reef during bad weather and sank.
Photo of the Maldive Victory Ship. Source Divernet.
The wreck rests at a depth of about 35m in the channel between Hulhulé and Malé, to the South-West of Hulhulé reef. The shallowest points that are mast and the bridge’s roof is at a depth of about 12m and 18 respectively. This 1420 tonne ship has a length of about 100m, and there are several open cargo holds. Fish life is quite diverse, and the coral life is average. A couple of dives need to be done here to explore the place thoroughly. The best time usually to dive here is in the early hours of the morning with a slight current.
Front view of the Maldive Victory Wreck. Photo by Zim.
Diving at the wreck can be challenging at times as she lays in a channel where the currents can be strong and with heavy boat traffic nearby. You need to be trained for Deep Diving to dive here, and the Wreck Diver course is also recommended. Previously there was a descent line attached to the ship, but nowadays divers are dropped on to the house reef of Hulhulé, and they drift a bit and swim out to the wreck. Once at the wreck, there is a degree of protection from the current. Have proper buoyancy and be careful not to hit the structure as it there can be sharp bits. Wreck penetration should not be done unless with appropriate training and equipment. Don’t collect any souvenirs. Always carry a deployed surface marker buoy. After surfacing, stay in groups, make yourself visible and wait for your boat to pick you up.
The wreck suffered quite a bit when the Hulhulé-Malé bridge was constructed. An anchor damaged part of the superstructure. The Malé based dive centre Dive Desk stepped up to ensure no further damage occurs to the wreck. Buoys were placed around the area to warn boat captains not to drop their anchors. As of the 9th of February 2021, the Maldives Victory wreck has been protected by Maldives’ government. We hope that a management plan will soon follow.
Bridge of the Maldive Victory Wreck. Photo by Zim.
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