HMS Coriolanus

HMS Coriolanus was a British Royal Navy Shakespeare-class trawler used as a minesweeper. It hit a floating mine and sank on 5 May 1945 west of Novigrad, about 9 nautical miles south-west of Umag. The 46 m hull lies in the open sea between roughly 15 and 28 m and still carries its armament, which makes it one of the most popular wreck dives on the west coast of Istria.

Facts

• Region: Adriatic – Istria & Kvarner
• Area: Istria West (Novigrad – Rovinj)
• Depth: 15–28 m
• Level: advanced
• Current: moderate
• Type: wreck
• Coordinates: 45.31783, 13.39055 (approximate)
• Highlights: Royal Navy minesweeper wreck, anti-aircraft guns, conger eel, European lobster
• Permit: Protected cultural good: may only be dived with a dive centre holding a Ministry of Culture and Media permit for this zone under the 2024–2029 underwater-activities programme; individual diving is not allowed and groups are limited to 15 divers per guide. Only the upper level of the ship may be entered and the armament must not be touched. Check current rules. (Source: Ministry of Culture programme 2024–2029)
• Issuer / contact: Ministry of Culture and Media of Croatia (Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage / competent conservation department)
  • Phone: +385 1 4866 200
  • Website: https://www.gov.hr/hr/ronjenje-na-kulturnim-dobrima/1556
• Tips: Open-sea wreck reached by boat; descend and ascend on the shot line, and expect variable visibility and some current.

Sources

• https://www.istra.hr/en/experience/sports-and-outdoor/diving/805
• https://www.wannadive.net/spot/Europe/Croatia/North_adriatic/Istra/HMS_Coriolanus/index.html
• https://starfish.hr/diving-tours/
• https://min-kulture.gov.hr/program-obavljanja-podvodnih-aktivnosti-u-unutarnjim-morskim-vodama-i-teritorijalnom-moru-republike-hrvatske-u-podrucjima-gdje-se-nalazi-kulturno-dobro-za-2024-2029-godinu/25860
• https://www.gov.hr/hr/ronjenje-na-kulturnim-dobrima/1556