Boatloads of divers were eager to take the plunge as an old patrol boat was yesterday being scuttled in the area known as Tal-Matz beneath the coastal tower in Comino.

P31 was originally used during the Cold War era to patrol the river banks between East and West Germany and for mine-sweeping operations between Germany and Denmark.

After it was acquired for the Armed Forces of Malta it was used to patrol the continental shelf against smuggling operations.

Project coordinator Mark Scerri Simiana said the 52-metre boat was scuttled at a depth of 18 metres. Part of its mast had to be sawn off to allow a five-metre gap between the top of the boat and the sea surface. It was yesterday towed by the MV Sea Wolf II and prepared for scuttling by Cassar Ship Repair, where it had been stored for the past four years after it was decommissioned by the AFM and bought by the Malta Tourism Authority.

Once it was safely settled beneath the water, the curious divers were allowed in to take their first look at Malta's latest diving attraction.

Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario De Marco said Malta had more than 20 such diving sites, nine of which were purposely scuttled vessels.