A WATERY GRAVE
A POPULAR VISUAL LANDMARK
The MV Dimitrios II is a prominent, rusted general cargo ship that is permanently grounded on a reef off the coast of Chloraka in Paphos. The wreck rests approximately 500 metres from the shoreline in shallow waters that are just 10 metres deep.
AN ILL-FATED SHIP
Built by J.J. Sietas K.G. Schiffswerft Gmbh of Hamburg, Germany in 1964, the MV Dimitrios II, which measures a total of 66 metres in length, is German in origin. Its 6-cylinder, 4-stroke diesel engines were developed and then installed by Motoren Werke Mannheim A. G. of Mannheim. At their height, these powerful engines allowed the fully laden cargo ship to achieve an impressive 9.5 knots in calm seas.
PRIDE OF GERMANY
Making its maiden voyage in the same year, the MV Dimitrios II was first registered as the Arn X by its first owner, Martin Leistikow in 1964. Mainly operating in a North European theatre until 1978, the vessel was sold just a year later to Wilhelm Baumgarten, who subsequently renamed it to MV Luhe. Tor Nordia then acquired the vessel in 1976, renaming it MV Tor Nordia. The ship’s name changed once again two years later to MV Luhedeic.
PURCHASED BY GREEKS
The Sofia-S Shipping Co then acquired and registered the ship in a port in Greece in 1987. It then began to operate in Southern European and Middle Eastern theatres after it was renamed MV Sofia S. The Semiramis Shipping Co then took ownership of it a year later. They renamed it again to MV Anastasia. It remained in Greek Hands until 1996, when Silver Star Shipping acquired it. Although it continued to operate in Southern Europe and Middle Eastern theatres, it was oddly registered in a port in Honduras under the name of MV Dimitrios II.
STORMY WATERS
The MV Dimitrios II set off for its last voyage from Greece on the morning of March 22nd 1998. Carrying a cargo of timber en route to Syria, the captain and his crew had negotiated the route several times previously. This meant that they were not worried when they received reports of stormy weather ahead. Rough seas, however, later forced the ship to change course. Heading for the nearest port in Cyprus, the ship ran aground off the coast of Paphos on the evening of March 23rd.
ADDED CONTROVERSY
All eight crew members were eventually airlifted to safety by a British military helicopter after becoming stranded. Adding controversy to the disaster, it later emerged that both the captain’s and the first officer’s seafaring certificates for competency were forged.
AN EMERGENCY CLEAN-UP OPERATION
Marine response teams quickly emptied the fuel storage units and cargo. This prevented localised ecological pollution. Further attempts to remove the wreck were then thwarted by further complications. The wreck has instead remained in place and has since become somewhat of a Paphos landmark.
A UNIQUE SIGHT
The wreck today can be seen perched on the coast whilst travelling along the Coral Bay coastal road. Bus 615 from the PAPHOS HARBOUR area toward Coral Bay regularly also passes the landmark. Walking a short distance down to the shoreline allows for access to a dedicated, free-access viewing platform. This tends to perfectly frame the ship against the Mediterranean Sea. Views can also be had via a scenic walk north along the seafront promenade.
A POPULAR VISUAL LANDMARK
The ill-fated MV Dimitrios II is one of two notable recent Paphos shipwrecks that are both perched along the Paphos coastline. The other is the EDRO III, which is a much larger intact cargo ship that also ran aground off the Paphos coast on October 11th 2011. This wreck sits further along the coastline, directly flush against the rocks next to the Sea Caves in Peyia. Both shipwrecks have, over the years, become highly popular visual landmarks for several visitors, including the likes of coastal hikers and photographers.
