The Donator wreck, also known as the Prosper Schiaffino, lies off the south-east coast of the French island of Porquerolles in the Mediterranean Sea.
The cargo ship met its fate in 1945 when it struck a mine while transporting wine and other goods from Algeria to France.
Now resting upright at depths of around 40–50 metres, the wreck has become one of the region’s most iconic dive sites, offering a poignant glimpse into maritime history alongside thriving marine life.
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Today, the Donator serves as a remarkable artificial reef teeming with biodiversity. Its corroded hull is encrusted with vibrant gorgonians (soft corals), sponges and bryozoans (aquatic invertebrate animals), which provide shelter and feeding grounds for a variety of species.
Schools of barracuda and dentex (a ray-finned fish) patrol the open water, while groupers lurk in shadowy crevices.
Nudibranchs and moray eels weave through the twisted structure, and lobsters can often be spotted beneath metal overhangs. Divers may also encounter sea bream, damselfish, scorpionfish, red mullet, sea perch, amberjacks and stingrays gliding over the deck.
In the warmer months, the wreck attracts pelagic visitors such as tuna and even the occasional sunfish.
Main image: Donator wreck in the Mediterranean Sea. Credit: Getty
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