Shipwreck M/F XLENDI

MF Xlendi – Ferry Wreck – Xatt L-Ahmar – Gozo
 
Built by Helsingor Vaerft, Helsingor (Denmark) in 1955 for De Danske Statsbaner, Helsingor as a train ferry, it weighs 1123 gross tones and is 80 meters long. The vessel was bought by Gozo Channel in February 1990 for Lm327, 000, the Xlendi was meant to serve as a cargo carrier between Malta and Gozo, augmenting the service provided by the MV Ghawdex. But the ship ended up ferrying passengers and cars. It could take up to 65 vehicles. Its shape, however, earned it the ignoble title of the coffin.The Xlendi had its fair share of mishaps. It had sustained considerable damage in 1992 when it ran aground at Comino while crossing from Cirkewwa to Mgarr. None of the 80 passengers was injured and only one of 42 cars was slightly damaged. Three years later, in 1995, it hit the quay at Mgarr, sustaining minor damage. In June 1999 a small fire broke out on deck. MF Xlendi was handed over to the Gozo Tourism Association to scuttle as an attraction for divers, after it had stopped operating in 1997. After a lengthy process to obtain a permit to sink her off Xatt L-Ahmar, on 12th November 1999 Xlendi finally hit the seabed. But due to prevailing winds at the time of scuttling the vessel was pushed off the selected and desired position.

Specifications

IMO    5147346
Building year    1955
Building yard    Helsingør Værft, Denmark (#321)
Owner    Gozo Channel Line
Operator    –
Length    80,0 m
Breadth    13,38 m
Draft    3,6 m
GT    1.123
Machinery    4 * B&W 525 MTBH 40
Speed    11 kn.
Number of passengers    640
Number of beds    0
Number of cars    55
Lanemetres    60
Number of railway tracks    1
Length of railway tracks    76,2 m
Port of registry    Valletta
Flag    Malta
Former names    Xlendi (1990-1999) – Gozo Channel Line
Borgshorn (1988-1990) – Rutelag A/S Askøy-Bergen
Borgshorn (1988) – Hardanger Sunnhordlandske DS
Royal Sheeba (1987-1988)
Helsingør (1955-1987) – DSB Rederi
Former owners    Bisi A/S (1988-1990)
Alfa Med Shipping (1987-1988)
DSB Rederi (1955-1987)
Sister ships    Skipper,
Notes    12/11-1999: Sunk to become a diver object.