WWII Hospital Ship Wreck Off Albania Now Thriving Artificial Reef

A study published July 26 in Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability reveals that the wreck of the Italian hospital ship Po, sunk in 1941 off Albania's coast, has become a thriving artificial reef. The Po was evacuating wounded soldiers from Vlora Bay on March 14, 1941, when a British Swordfish bomber torpedoed it, killing 23 of 240 aboard, including three Italian Red Cross workers. Among survivors was Edda Ciano, daughter of Benito Mussolini. The ship's lights were off to avoid detection, despite hospital ship protections. Today, the 443-foot wreck lies in the Karunburun-Sazan Marine Protected Area, about 108-121 feet deep, discovered by divers in 2005. Researchers made 32 dives between June 2022 and September 2024, using sonar and 3D photography, and observed 151 species, including fish, invertebrates, and mammals. The wreck provides habitat, with sponges, sea squirts, mussels, oysters, and algae covering surfaces, and fish like amberjacks, sea bass, and wrasse. Notably, a Mediterranean monk seal was sighted—the first in Vlora Bay since 1996—suggesting artificial reefs may serve as refuges. However, invasive devil firefish were also found, likely aided by climate change and the wreck as a 'stepping-stone habitat.' Lead author Simone Modugno is developing a 3D model for virtual exploration, aiming to promote conservation and tourism.