British Loyalty

WWII British oil tanker that was torpedoed in Addu lagoon, later refloated, and finally scuttled by British gunfire on 5 January 1946; at roughly 134 m it is described as the largest wreck in the Maldives. It lies on its side inside the lagoon off Maradhoo/Hithadhoo, from about 15 m on the upper hull to 33 m at the seabed, with the propeller near 28 m. The hull is overgrown with hard and soft coral and attracts turtles, sweetlips, snapper, batfish and moray eels.

Facts

• Region: Maldives – Deep South
• Area: Addu
• Depth: 15–33 m
• Level: intermediate
• Current: low
• Type: wreck
• Coordinates: -0.6409, 73.1146
• Highlights: WWII oil tanker wreck, about 134 m, engine room opening, turtles, sweetlips, snapper, batfish, glassfish, moray, hard coral, soft coral
• Tips: Usually calm and sheltered, but bring a torch for the engine-room area and penetrate only with wreck training. The EPA declared this a protected marine area in 2018; dive gently and avoid damaging coral.

Sources

• https://www.divessi.com/en/mydiveguide/divesite/british-loyalty-wreck-maldives-258172
• https://www.wannadive.net/spot/Asia/Maldives/Addu_Atoll/British_Loyalty
• https://www.dive-the-world.com/diving-sites-maldives-deep-south.php
• https://resortlife.travel/dive-sites/british-loyalty-wreck-addu
• https://maldivesindependent.com/environment/marine-areas-near-addu-city-to-be-protected-142330