HMS Russell – 115m Deep Trimix & CCR Wreck Dive, Malta

Overview of the Dive Site

HMS Russell is a First World War pre-dreadnought battleship lying upside down on the sand at around 110–115 metres depth, roughly 6 km east of Fort St Elmo / Valletta, Malta. maltadives.com This is an expedition-level deep wreck, suitable only for highly experienced trimix and CCR divers with excellent team skills and discipline.

The wreck is huge (about 130–140 m long) and remarkably intact apart from the stern, which was blown off by the mine explosion. Wikipedia The surrounding seabed is littered with shells and gun cases, and some of the ship’s guns now sit upright in the sand, making this a powerful, atmospheric dive. maltadives.com

Key Facts at a Glance

Type: Deep WWI battleship wreck, war grave
Location: Offshore east of Valletta / Fort St Elmo, Malta maltadives.com
Depth: Approx. 110–115 m to the seabed; top of hull a few metres shallower maltadives.com
Access: Boat only, offshore site
Certification: Advanced trimix (OC) or equivalent high-level CCR certification
Gas: Hypoxic trimix, multiple deco gases; ideal for CCR (Hollis Prism2)
Permits: Special Heritage Malta permit required to dive (war grave) DiveBoat.mt
Best for: Experienced technical divers, deep wreck enthusiasts, CCR teams

Location & Access

HMS Russell lies in open sea, about 4–6 nautical miles off Valletta / Fort St Elmo, on a flat sandy seabed. Dive on Malta

Access is by boat only, usually from Valletta or Marsamxett harbours.
A shot line is essential for safe descent/ascent and for holding decompression stops in any surface chop.
Because it’s a managed heritage wreck and a war grave, diving is only allowed with the correct permits and through authorised operators. Heritage Malta

Depth Range & Profile

Seabed / guns: 112–115 m
Upside-down hull: around 108–112 m along most of the wreck
No real “shallow” section – you are in full-on deep trimix territory from the moment you leave the shot line. maltadives.com

Expect a vertical technical profile: a long descent, a short, carefully planned bottom phase, and then a long ascent with extended deep and mid-water deco.

Recommended Certification Level

HMS Russell is not an entry-level technical dive. It’s for divers who already have serious time at 70–90 m and are comfortable with complex gas, bailout and team management.

Recommended minimums:

Open circuit:
- Full trimix certification (e.g. PADI Tec Trimix or equivalent)
- Substantial experience on 90 m+ dives in similar conditions
CCR / Hollis Prism2:
- Advanced / full trimix CCR certification with experience in the 90–100+ m range
- Excellent bailout planning and real-world bailout drills completed recently

This is a dive where you should already be very comfortable with task loading, multiple deco gases, team procedures and problem solving at depth before ever stepping on the boat.

Best Season & Typical Conditions

Season: Late spring to autumn is usual, when sea state and daylight are most favourable.
Temperature:
- Summer: ~15–18°C at depth (thermoclines common)
- Winter: 13–15°C throughout the water column
Visibility: Often 20–30 m, but can drop with plankton or weather. Divers Guide
Sea state: This is open sea; wind and swell can build quickly. Skippers will be conservative.

Why Dive HMS Russell?

What Makes This Site Special for Tec / CCR Divers

Scale & history: A full-size British battleship, sunk in 1916 after striking mines laid by German submarine U-73 while approaching Malta. Heritage Malta
Pristine deep environment: Opened to civilian diving only in 2019; still relatively few teams have visited compared to shallower wrecks. maltadives.com
Serious depth: A true proving ground for advanced trimix and CCR skills – more expedition than “fun dive”.
Atmosphere: As an official war grave, the dive has a solemn, respectful feel that most divers never forget. Heritage Malta

For capable teams, HMS Russell is one of Malta’s “bucket list” deep wrecks alongside HMS Olympus, HMS Southwold and the deep destroyers. DIVE Magazine

Dive Profile & Route Options

Typical Open Circuit Profiles

On OC, gas volume is the main limiter. Expect:

Helium-rich, hypoxic back gas (e.g. 8–12% O₂ range depending on plan)
At least two, often three deco gases
Bottom times typically 15–20 minutes for realistic gas and runtime control

Most teams:

Drop the shot to the upturned hull amidships
Run a short, pre-agreed route along one side of the hull, checking key features and the surrounding seabed for guns and debris
Start ascent on schedule – overrunning the plan is not an option at this depth

Typical CCR / Hollis Prism2 Profiles

On the Hollis Prism2, HMS Russell becomes more logistically manageable, though still extremely serious:

Longer possible bottom times (e.g. 20–30 minutes) for similar or slightly extended runtime compared to OC
Better gas logistics and reduced helium cost
Bailout plan drives everything – you plan as if you might have to complete the entire ascent on OC

A common approach:

Descend on a fixed setpoint (e.g. 1.1–1.2)
Maintain a conservative working setpoint at depth
Spend the bottom time exploring one flank of the hull and selected debris fields
Begin ascent with generous deep stops and pre-planned bailout options at multiple points

Nothing here replaces proper planning software and training – your actual runtime and schedule must be calculated specifically for your team and conditions.

Entry, Exit & Navigation Notes

Descent is along a permanent or temporary shot line placed near the mid-section.
There is usually no visual of the wreck until the last part of the descent – expect a blue-water drop until your lights pick up the hull.
Navigation on the wreck is relatively simple: it lies upside down on sand with the bow and stern clearly oriented, but you must keep strong situational awareness and not stray from the shot in poor visibility. maltadives.com
Ascent and all deco are done on the same line, often with additional deco trapezes or support stages for comfort.

Conditions & Hazards

Current, Visibility & Temperature

Current: Can be variable; even moderate current is magnified when you’re trying to hold stops with big cylinders. Divers Guide
Visibility: Usually good, but plankton or weather changes can reduce it significantly, especially in mid-water.

Overheads, Entanglement & Other Risks

HMS Russell is a war grave. Penetration is not appropriate.
There may be fishing line and nets on and around the wreck, plus scattered ordnance on the seabed – this is not the place to “collect souvenirs”. Divers Guide
Depth means that any issue is immediately life-threatening if not handled perfectly: CO₂ issues, loop flood, gas switch errors, lost deco gas, etc.

Safety Tips & Minimum Experience

Only attempt this wreck with:
- A well-practised team used to working together
- Recent deep trimix or CCR dives in the 70–90 m range
- A support plan that may include surface / in-water support divers on shallower stops
Treat this as a project dive, not something you add to a casual holiday week.

Wreck / Site History

Background & Historical Highlights

HMS Russell was a Duncan-class pre-dreadnought battleship, launched in 1901 and serving in the Mediterranean and the Dardanelles during WWI. Wikipedia

In April 1916, while returning to Malta for resupply, she struck mines laid by German U-boat U-73 just outside Grand Harbour and sank shortly afterwards. Around 125 members of her crew were lost. Heritage Malta

The wreck was first located and dived in 2003 by a British technical team and was only opened to controlled technical diving in 2019 as part of Heritage Malta’s deep wreck initiative. maltadives.com

Notable Stories or Incidents

Many first-hand accounts describe the slow capsize and evacuation, with lifeboats launched before the final explosion and sinking. Surviving officers and crew later served in senior wartime roles, adding to the ship’s historical significance. Wikipedia

Points of Interest Underwater

Key Structures / Features to See

Because the ship rests upside down, you’ll see:

The curving hull and keel dominating your view
Large holes and damage towards the missing stern where the mine detonated
Guns and ammo cases scattered around the sand, some guns upright and very photogenic maltadives.com
Structural elements like casemates and deck edges partially exposed beneath the hull

Marine Life & Photographic Opportunities

Despite the depth, HMS Russell hosts:

Black and red corals, hydroids and sponge growth
John dory and other deep-water fish hunting along the hull maltadives.com
Occasional pelagics passing in the blue

This is very much a “big camera, big lights” dive – expect dark water, strong contrasts and limited time to set shots.

Training & Skill Development Opportunities

Suitable Courses or Workshops

HMS Russell is a target dive rather than a training site itself, but it can form the pinnacle of a carefully structured training plan:

Advanced / full trimix programmes (OC or CCR)
CCR expedition workshops focusing on bailout, team protocols and deep problem solving
Debrief-heavy coaching on gas planning, thermal protection and decompression strategies

Skills You Can Practise Here

Precise ascent control and deep stops in blue water
Team navigation and communication with limited reference points
Photographic workflow under strict time pressure

Gear & Gas Planning Notes

Recommended Cylinders / Bailout

Open circuit: Twinset or backmounted twins with multiple stages; nothing minimal here
CCR: At least two substantial bailout cylinders, sized realistically for a full bailout from 115 m with contingencies

Deco Gases & Trimix Considerations

Hypoxic trimix for bottom gas (e.g. 8–12% O₂ range with appropriate helium fraction)
One or more high-O₂ deco mixes staged at planned stop depths
Redundant gas switch confirmations and clear team-wide protocols

All of this must be tailored to your training agency guidelines, software and conservative personal limits.

Hollis Prism2 / CCR-Specific Notes

For Hollis Prism2 divers with Jason:

Careful pre-dive checks and loop integrity are non-negotiable
Emphasis on bailout drills, BO switches, and scrubber management long before the project
Jason will help design a step-up series of progressively deeper CCR dives around Malta’s other deep wrecks before considering HMS Russell

Logistics & Surface Interval

Meeting Point & Boat Logistics

Trips to HMS Russell are boat-only, with departure typically from Valletta / surrounding harbours depending on conditions and boat partner.

On the day:

Early start, full briefing on wreck history, permit conditions and emergency plan
Surface support and emergency O₂ present
Long surface intervals and conservative planning – this is usually the only deep dive of the day

Facilities Nearby (Parking, Food, Fills)

Cylinder and sorb fills, helium and O₂ are arranged in advance through Jason and partner tech centres.
Post-dive debriefs and food options in Valletta / nearby towns round off the day.

Why Dive This Site with Jason Trott & diveprism2.eu

Small Groups & Safety Focus

Jason runs very small teams, especially on ultra-deep dives like HMS Russell. The focus is on:

Thorough pre-dive planning
Calm, structured execution
Honest debriefs and learning points after every project dive

Wreck & Tech Diving Experience

Jason Trott is a Malta-based PADI Tec instructor and Hollis Prism2 CCR instructor who specialises in deep wreck and CCR training around Malta, including deep heritage wrecks like HMS Russell. His approach blends real-world expedition experience, solid procedures and a strong safety culture.

FAQs About Diving HMS Russell

How deep is the dive?
HMS Russell sits around 110–115 m on the seabed, with the upside-down hull only a few metres shallower. maltadives.com

What level of diver is this for?
Only for advanced trimix or CCR divers with extensive experience in 70–90 m+ technical dives and excellent buoyancy, gas and team skills.

Can I dive it on open circuit and CCR?
Yes, but CCR (such as the Hollis Prism2) is usually more practical for gas logistics. On OC, expect very limited bottom time and large gas requirements.

What are the main risks?
Extreme depth, long decompression, potential current and entanglement, plus the general risks of deep trimix or CCR diving. This is a managed war-grave site and must be approached with full respect and preparation.

How to Book or Plan Your Dive

Check Dates & Availability

Because of permits, logistics and depth, HMS Russell dives are planned as special project days, not everyday outings.

Step 1: Decide whether your current experience genuinely matches the demands of a 110–115 m wreck.
Step 2: If it does, get in touch early so Jason can align permits, boat, gas logistics and any warm-up dives.

Contact Jason for a Training or Dive Plan

If you’re aiming for HMS Russell but aren’t quite there yet, Jason can build a progressive training path on Malta’s shallower and mid-range wrecks – on open circuit or the Hollis Prism2 CCR – leading logically toward this dive.

You can:

Reach out via the contact form on diveprism2.eu
Send a message with your current certifications, recent dive history and goals
Ask about custom Tec / CCR coaching and deep wreck weeks in Malta

HMS Russell is not just another wreck – it’s the kind of dive you plan for, prepare for, and remember for the rest of your diving life.

HMS Russell, Malta – Technical & CCR Dive Guide