THE wreckage of a rare Nazi attack speedboat has been discovered off the coast of Greece after more than 80 years underwater.
Divers found the remains of the experimental vessel at a depth of 96 metres, around 95km north of the Greek island of Lefkada.
The wreck was located using sonar technology by a team from AegeanTec, which had been hunting for the long-lost boat since 2013.
Expedition leader Marinos Giourgas told BILD: “The wreck stands upright on the seabed, as if it were ready to set sail on its next mission.”
The aluminium vessel has become part of the seabed after decades underwater, but researchers say its distinctive features remain remarkably well preserved.
Open hatches provide a glimpse inside the vessel, including parts of its interior and engine room.
The boat was reportedly badly damaged during an Allied air raid in September 1943.
It was being towed away for repairs when it sank, with the tow rope still attached to the bow – a crucial clue that helped researchers identify the wreck.
Researchers say nobody was killed when the vessel went down.
The boat was an experimental design developed for the German navy, featuring an aircraft-inspired engine tucked inside its lightweight hull.
The unusual design was intended to create a fast and highly manoeuvrable attack boat.
“This is a unique and extremely rare find, which could be another dive site for technical deep divers who not only want to see the wreck but also gain insight into its history,” Giourgas said.
Elsewhere, two other German ships were discovered in the Baltic Sea
Dr Christian Lübcke, the German War Graves Commission’s representative for maritime war graves, said: “Last week I was notified of the discovery of two new submarine wrecks in the Baltic Sea: U-583 and U-649.
“Both are maritime war graves.”
The wreck of U-583 was discovered on July 15 in waters between the Danish island of Bornholm and the Polish ports of Kołobrzeg and Ustka.
It was found lying at a depth of around 65 metres and is reportedly intact and in good condition, although parts of the vessel are covered by fishing nets.
All 45 sailors aboard U-583 were killed when the submarine collided with another German U-boat during a training exercise in November 1941.
The stricken submarine sank south of Bornholm, taking its entire crew to the seabed.
The wreck was located by a Polish diving group and a surveying company using modern underwater detection technology.
Despite the discovery, no one has yet dived down to the wreck.
Researchers are now faced with the delicate task of documenting the site, which is considered a maritime war grave.
