diving7seas
Unterwaterphotos: Thomas Heckmann
In the photo on the right, the two guns( top) are positioned at the rear, behind the chimney
On September 4th in 2018, the Manta Diving Madeira dive sites gained a spectacular new underwater attraction with the sinking of the former corvette‘ Afonso Cerqueira’ south of Cabo Girão especially for divers.
Since then, the shipwreck – stripped of pollutants and fitted out for diving safety – has been on its final mission: as an artificial reef and a magnet for a diverse marine life, as well as a magnificent backdrop for photographers, scuba divers and free divers.
The once elegant“ Afonso Cerqueira” was completed in Cartagena in 1973, belonged to the“ Baptista de Andrade” class, is 85 metres long and was in service from June 1975 to March 2015. As a corvette, its role was to carry out surveillance and rescue missions in the Azores, Madeira and the exclusive economic zone. It also took part in national and international exercises with other naval forces.
The“ Afonso Cerqueira” now stands upright on the seabed at a depth of around 30 metres. The highest parts of the wreck rise up to a depth of at about 12 metres. With all its diveable decks, compartments and guns, the vessel is a truly top-class wreck and perfectly rounds off the range of diving activities at Manta Diving Madeira.
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