TA-36 (Stella Polare)

Escort destroyer built in Rijeka for the Italian navy as Stella Polare and commissioned by the German navy as TA-36 after the 1943 armistice. It hit a mine north of Brestova on 18 March 1944 while sailing a forbidden route, and more than 40 sailors died. The wreck was found away from its recorded position and lies at 45–65 m with weapons and ammunition still on board; this is a technical dive.

Facts

• Region: Adriatic – Istria & Kvarner
• Area: Istria East (Rabac – Plomin)
• Depth: 45–65 m
• Level: advanced
• Current: moderate
• Type: wreck
• Coordinates: 45.151, 14.232 (approximate)
• Highlights: escort destroyer with torpedo launchers, machine guns still aboard, war grave
• Permit: Protected as a war grave by the Croatian Ministry of Culture according to the guide; dives only with an authorised, licensed dive centre. Check current rules.
• 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
• Unverified: Unverified: position and depth come from a single Italian guide (about 800 m north of Brestova); another guide lists it under Medulin, and the wreck lies away from its historically recorded spot.
• Tips: Technical (trimix/decompression) dive; do not touch ordnance. Confirm position and depth with a local dive centre before planning.

Sources

• https://www.ilturista.info/guide/diving-quarnero-fondali-veglia-arbe-lussino-cherso/
• https://www.checkyeti.com/blog/en/wreck-diving-in-istria