Santa Maria di Leuca · Italy · Wreck
Tevfik Kaptan I
A Turkish freighter sitting upright as if still under way
The Tevfik Kaptan I is a Turkish merchant ship that sank in 2007 just off the port of Torre Vado, near Santa Maria di Leuca. She sits upright as if still under way, which makes her an easy wreck dive that still holds interest, with amberjack and barracuda around the hull.
Also known as Tevfik Kaptan 1, Relitto Torrevado.
Where it is and how deep
39.8252° N, 18.2762° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive is very easy and starts at only 6.5 m on the highest part of the ship, which rests in perfect sailing trim on a rocky bottom at 22.5 m. Pelagic fish are a constant presence, with amberjack and barracuda working around the hull.
The forward section sits upright while the stern castle is tilted steeply over. Interior exploration is possible, always with the dive centre's guides.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Tevfik Kaptan I
- Type
- Merchant ship
- Sunk
- 2007
- Cause
- Her cargo of iron wire shifted and heeled the hull over
- Lies
- Upright on a rocky bottom at 22.5 m, the forward section in sailing trim and the stern castle steeply tilted
The Turkish ship Tevfik Kaptan I had left the port of Ortona, in the province of Chieti, bound for Algeria with a cargo of iron wire in coils. On the morning of 29 June 2007 the cargo shifted and heeled the hull over, and she went down only 800 m from the port of Torre Vado, where she now rests upright on a rocky bottom.
Marine life and season
- Trevally & jacks
- Barracuda
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Season follows Santa Maria di Leuca: Early summer brings sunfish and July and August the warmest sea; February is the coldest month.
Dive videos
Diving Service - Torre Vado (LE) - Sul relitto del Tevfik Kaptan 1 · Diving Service Centro Immersioni e Scuola Sub on YouTube
Esplorando una nave affondata lunga 90 METRI! - Tevfik Kaptan 1 · Mondo Mare on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Can new divers dive the Tevfik Kaptan I?+
Yes. The wreck starts at 6.5 m and the bottom is at 22.5 m, so it suits beginners as well as experienced divers; going inside is done only with the centre's guides.
Sources
- Immersioni - Diving Service — Diving Service
- Sito d'immersione Tevfik kaptan 1 — PADI
- Il relitto di Torre Vado Tevfik Kaptan — torrevado.info
- Immersioni nel Salento - Salento Diving Leuca — Salento Diving
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Seamount
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Coral garden
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