A PAPHOS LANDMARK
A FREAK STORM
On October 8th, 2011, the Edro III left the port of Limassol, but it never made it past the Paphos coast. The ill-fated ship, carrying building materials bound for the Greek island of Rhodes, encountered a freak storm. The vessel, after sustaining significant damage, ran aground in the bay of Peyia, just north of the City of Paphos. All nine crew members were eventually airlifted to safety by a British military helicopter.
A PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Numerous efforts were then made to remove the wreck. These efforts were mainly coordinated by the Municipality of Peyia, which is the regional administrative authority where Edro III now resides. Preparations to tow the vessel were made after the ship’s hull was made watertight. The project, however, ran into several difficulties. After several failures, all efforts to remove the vessel were soon abandoned. After the safe removal of all diesel, hydrocarbons, and marine pollutants on board, it was decided that the ship would remain perched at an angle on the coast of Paphos.
A PAPHOS LANDMARK
This shipwreck has since become a Paphos landmark. It has also gone on to shape the local marine tourism in the local area. The ship’s rusty remains have been found to attract some unique marine life. This has helped the site to become a revered diving site. The Edro III, which lies just 15 metres off the coast, also provides a fantastic photo opportunity for several visitors to the area. They often use the setting as a backdrop for photos, especially at SUNSET. The Edro III currently holds the accolade of being the most photographed ship in Cyprus.
EDRO III FACTS
- This cargo ship was built in 1966 by Kaldnes Mekaniske Verksted at Tønsberg in Norway
- The Sierra Leone-flagged vessel measures up to 80 metres in length and weighs approximately 2,500 tons
- The ship lies on sea rocks at an angle of approximately 12 degrees
- This landmark completes the view of the ‘Oniro Restaurant’ in Paphos
VISITING THE LANDMARK
Mysterious tourist attractions often make for a great addition to most travel itineraries, and the Edro III is no exception. A shipwreck so close to the shore like this is rare, and the landmark, which ran aground over a decade ago, still sits at an angle on the rocks off the Paphos coast. Located just north-west of Paphos, along the coast between Coral Bay and the Sea Caves, near the village of Peyia, it has become a feature of sightseeing across Paphos. It does this by serving as a fantastic photo opportunity, especially at SUNSET.
Walkers, hikers, and ramblers who often use the efficient BUS NETWORK to travel around Cyprus, use the Paphos harbour station as a base when visiting various places across Paphos. Buses 615 and 616 can be boarded from here to Coral Bay, and the 20-minute journey is probably the best way to get close to the Edro III. The coastal path, which offers some truly beautiful scenery, can then be taken from the bay to the sea caves on foot, past the Edro III. The path offers some amazing views that include the whole bay and the Mediterranean Sea. A taxi from Paphos Old Town typically takes 20 minutes, and parking facilities are readily available near the shipwreck.
