MVLiberty

History
Russia
Name	Liberty
Port of registry	Russia
Fate	Intentionally sunk south of Cyprus on 22 May 2009
General characteristics
Class and type	Cargo ship
Tonnage	226GT
Length	37 m (121 ft 5 in)
Beam	7 m (23 ft 0 in)

MVLibertywas a Russiancargo shipwhich was turned into anartificial reefsouth ofCyprusin 2009. The ship had agross tonnageof 225GT,a length of 37 metres (121 ft), and a beam of 7 metres (23 ft).

Shipwreck

On 22 May 2009,Libertywas intentionally sunk by theParalimni MunicipalityofCyprusoff the southern coast of the island. The vessel was previously intended to be scrapped, but was instead turned into anartificial reefin order to promotediving tourismto the island.The dive site, known as theLiberty Wreck,was the first part of theLiberty Reef Artificial Projectfunded by the Cyprus Dive Center Association.

The dive site is located approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from land, and the shipwreck sits between 22 and 27 metres (72 and 89 ft) below the water. The ship has two entrances through openings on the deck and an exit through the cargo loading hatch. The ship was stripped down to the hull and had thebridgeremoved before it was sunk.After the reef was established, the area was closed to all boat traffic in an effort to draw marine life to the wreck, and the shipwreck was made a marine fish reserve for the region.