Shipwreck off the coast of Paphos

by Josh
(United Kingdom)

Paphos shipwreck

Paphos shipwreck

I would just like to know if you know anything thing about the shipwreck on the shoreline in Paphos. Just got back from Paphos and saw the boat on the shoreline and just wanted to know if you knew the history of it. How it happened? When etc


Many thanks.

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Aug 12, 2015
 Shipwrecks in pafos and coral bay
by: Anonymous

I've just got back from coral bay and have seen the ship and wonderd what how and why I think she looks awesome standing proud just off the shore there and on my travels around that area I also came across the Edro 3 not that far up the coast from pafos and. Coral bay she's just kinda layin there just off the sea caves feelin all sorry for her self this was August 2015
Jul 24, 2015
 Glad someone confirmed Edro
by: Anonymous

Many thanks for confirming Edro is the ship I thought the same as another person mentioned that I had not seen it on previous visits. Edro ran aground December 2011. I thought that the shipwreck out to sea looked big but Edro is massive!
Jun 17, 2015
 Still there
by: Anonymous

Just back from two weeks in paphos, and the ship is still there, google map even has it ..... Not sure how long it will last, but I believe it's been there for 17years, will probably be there for another decade.
Jun 13, 2015
 MV Demetrios II
by: Anonymous

Paphos accident
The Honduran-flagged M/V Demetrios II ran aground off Paphos Lighthouse on 23 March 1998 in heavy seas, during a voyage from Greece to Syria with a cargo of timber.

At the time of the accident, the ship had eight crew members - 4 Greeks, 2 Pakistanis and 2 Syrians. The crew were rescued and airlifted to the safety of Paphos by a British Military Helicopter.

It was subsequently confirmed in the Lloyd's List that the competency certificates for the Greek Captain and the Pakistani first officer were forgeries.

The wreck can clearly be seen whilst travelling along the main Paphos to Coral Bay Road.
May 18, 2015
 shipwreak
by: Anonymous

Looking at this ship as I write at the King Evelthon hotel, a great view, may 2015
Apr 02, 2015
 Shipwreck off the coast of Paphos
by: Bill

We were there just a couple of day's ago, Both ships are still there.
Mar 11, 2015
 Huge ecological disaster
by: Anonymous

It still stands there March 2015,
The problem is that it stands there for 17 years, it has been fully rusted and it may collapse at any time {now or later} creating a huge ecological disaster to the whole area
Dec 20, 2014
 rusty old ship
by: Anonymous

still there christmas 2014 .
Dec 02, 2014
 How Long
by: Frank

The ship was not there over Xmas / new year 1997/1998. However it was there on our return Xmas 1999. Looks like still there now.
Not sure if I should add to 15 years of photo's
Some good vantage spots have gone due to the ever increasing building of hotels / apartments.
Nov 26, 2014
 November 2014
by: Belinda

I'm staying in the King Evelthon and looking right at the ship wreck now still standing rusty but proud almost like a ghost ship heading into the beach to shelter from the storm that has been lashing at the coast line for the last two days. But of course no one died on the ship and it is heading nowhere now as the cost and abandoned vessel is alone but hopeful standing firm maybe there is a positive future for the iconic ship who knows
Aug 20, 2014
 Ship wreck
by: Paul

Still there august 2014. Staff at our hotel say it's too expensive for the insurance company to move it
Jul 04, 2014
 Ship
by: Kiran

Currently looking at it now. 4th July 2014
Jun 24, 2014
 Confused?
by: Scotty

Hi folks, just wanted to say that this ship is not to be confused with "Edro 3rd", totally different ship altogether which resides only a few miles along the coastline past coral bay in Peiya.

Edro is massive and still sits there also.
Feb 17, 2014
 February 17 2014
by: Anonymous

Demetrious II. Still there. We have a great view of the starboard side of the ship from our room at the Elysium. My fiancee thought it was a fishing boat until I pointed out the breaking waves around it and thought it must be aground on rocks or something. Thanks for everyone's information on this. Nearly 16 years and still standing.
Feb 16, 2014
 What happened to that ship?
by: Kika

I have just came back on the 12.02.2014 from The capital cost Resort hotel at Paphos and I can certainly confirm that this wrecked ship is still there . Now my concern is what have really happened with this ship, as seeing on below comments everyone has some different story . That is just crazy . I have googled the case and It says . The Honduran-flagged M/V Demetrios II ran aground off Paphos Lighthouse on 23 March 1998 in heavy seas, during a voyage from Greece to Syria with a cargo of timber.
I will probably just take that story as real on . Xxx everyone
Dec 29, 2013
 29th December 2013
by: William

I remember it appearing between my early visits to Cyprus and first thought that one day a great storm would re-float her but no....
Even after a terrific storm and an earth quake yesterday, the ship is still perched there looking like a landing craft steaming towards the Tombs of Kings.
Oct 27, 2013
 MV Demetrios II
by: Anonymous

The cargo ship is still there tall and proud !!!! We could see it clearly from the Tombs of the Kings but I only had a kit lens on my camera so didnt manage to get many worthwhile pictures :0(
Find below the Wiki description for those of you interested !!!

The M/V Demetrios II was a cargo ship, built in 1964 by J. J. Sietas, at their shipbuilding yard in Hamburg-Neuenfelde, Germany
The Honduran-flagged M/V Demetrios II ran aground off Paphos Lighthouse on 23 March 1998 in heavy seas, during a voyage from Greece to Syria with a cargo of timber.
At the time of the accident, the ship had eight crew members - 4 Greeks, 2 Pakistanis and 2 Syrians. The crew were rescued and airlifted to the safety of Paphos by a British Military Helicopter.
It was subsequently confirmed in the Lloyd's List that the competency certificates for the Greek Captain and the Pakistani first officer were forgeries.
The wreck can clearly be seen whilst travelling along the main Paphos to Coral Bay Road.
Sep 27, 2013
 Still there's
by: Martin

Just go married out her and this wreck is still stuck on the reef
Aug 07, 2013
 Shipwreck sea cave,coral bay
by: Anonymous

The ship at the sea caves happened Dec 8th 2010-11 as I live here.. I read people's comments but they talk about the one in Paphos that has been there many years, not sure when but cost too much to remove!!
Aug 03, 2013
 Still here in august 2013
by: Søren

Just returning from Pafian Park Villige room 094 which has view directly to the shipwreck.
Jul 06, 2013
 Ship wreck off paphos
by: Andy

Staying at Atlantica Golden Beach - ship is still there - very prominent - suspect it will be still in a few years!
Apr 29, 2013
 Pap his shipwreck
by: Welsh John

In the Atlantica Golden Beach April 2013 and the ship is still here last saw it in 2007 from the St George hotel it was then showing cables from the lifeboat davits but now it looks a little worse for wear. However it still stands proud in the water, wonder how long it will be there for
Mar 28, 2013
 Demetrios Still There
by: Diggit & Dizzy

We just got back from Paphos (28/03/13) and the Demetrios is still there, best vantage point I found for photos of her was Tombs of the Kings. Wonder who bought it and why (shades of Radio Caroline?? I wish - I'd volunteer as crew ;-) ).
Nov 23, 2012
 Childhood memories
by: Alexandra H

I have been going to Paphos on family holidays since i was 2 (i'm now 26)! Havent been for a few years but im not surprised to hear this is still here! It fascinated me right through my teenage years, i read below that it has only been there since 1998...it just feels like i seen it at such a younger age than this!

I suppose it would make sense though as the majority of my memories are from around the 1999-2002 mark, and i dont remember the vessel looking in such bad shape then..so guessing it hadn't been there long?
i'd love to see it now, it really is amazing and each time ive been i watch it as far as i can until weve actually driven too far away for me to see it at all. Mezmerising.

i really hope they leave it there longer..its iconic and i'd love to show my partner and kids one day!!
Nov 12, 2012
 Tale of the Dimitious 2. Mv.
by: Bill Ritchie. 4th Nov 12.

Just got back from Paphos, enjoyed my stay their. Walking along the shore line path i looked out to sea and saw a ship pointing towards the shore line,at first i took little notice of it,it looked in a strange position,the next day it was still their,this got my mind working,i started to make enquiries about it,there is a few different tales about it,but the real one is it ran aground 23rd march 1998,in a big storm, it was carring a cargo of timber,the crew were saved,a salvage team tried to drag her off the rocks,but failed,she was stuck fast. The ship as just been sold for 3000 euros,what is to become of her now.It was by chance I spoke to one of the crew members about his experance.
Oct 21, 2012
 Paphos shipwreck
by: RichardAnonymous

I WAS STATIONED IN CYPRUS IN 1974 @ EPISKOPI WITH THE ARMY,AND THERE WAS A STERN SECTION OF SHIP ON THE BEACH WHEN I WAS THERE,I WAS TOLD IT WAS CARRYING ACARGO OF CEMENT WHEN IT WENT AGROUND,THEY SALVAGED THE CARGO AND CUT MOST OF THE WRECK UP.THE WRECK WHICH IS THERE NOW IS DEFINATLY NOT FROM THE 1970s.
Jul 20, 2012
 Shipwreck off the coast of Paphos
by: Anonymous

Still there and i returned home from Paphos on Tuesday (17/7/12). The Head Porter at our hotel told us that it is too expensive to move so they are just going to leave it.
Jun 20, 2012
 Ebro III shipwreck in Paphos
by: Mark Young

Just been to look at the EBRO III at sea caves and the area is cordoned off and guarded by a salvage company. You can still get close though, it looks huge close up! For those interested, there is video footage on YouTube of the ship the day it happened
Jun 09, 2012
 Shipwreck near Chloraka Paphos 1998
by: Alun Powell

The common thoughts amongst the community at Paphos
was the ship running aground was an Insurance fiddle.
Even though I have many friends in the immediate area no one could support this idea, just a feeling by the locals. The cargo was salvaged. I'm hoping the Ebro 111 at Sea Caves which ran aground last December will be moved. It's in my swimming spot!!
Jun 01, 2012
 Ship wreck in Paphos
by: Julie bell

And it still there today 1st June 2012
May 27, 2012
 circus time
by: captain Bob

T'would appear that the captain and the "master" had forged papers from the Lebanon. Good fun , what ho, and lost the plot. I presume they were going to turn right when they hit the Tombs of the Kings road and relaunch when they got to the harbour. The ship was freighting wood, obviously the crew were a load of planks but there one goes !
Apr 15, 2012
 wreck in Paphos
by: Maria

I got back from paphos today, had a lovely 7 day holiday in the aqua sol hotel right on the beach where you are opposite the wreck, me and my dad spent the whole holiday staring at it and trying to figure out what happened, according to one of the waiters it ran onto the rocks and was to expensive to salvage so they left it there, on the flight back we flew over it and noticed just how big it is and the rocks its on.
Feb 01, 2012
 An Engineers view
by: Anonymous

I first saw the wreck in 2000 and again in 2003. It fascinates me, (hence my search today). It clearly deteriorated between 2000/3, and time and tide won't have improved it. I believe any attempt to remove it from the current position would be too dangerous to the salvors,and ship/s needed. Had it been possible to move the ship, the insurers would have paid for it at the time of grounding. Access is just too dangerous sadly. Sadly; because I always thought it would be a great venue for a party : ) John
Jan 24, 2012
 Shipwreck paphos
by: Xchadx

I went there years ago to the azia and it was there then ,is it still there now january 2012 x
Dec 09, 2011
 New shipwreck in Paphos!
by: Anonymous

Yesterday another ship sank near Coral bay..just next to the sea caves..but this time it is very close ( only a few meters) to the coast..it just came too close to the coast, hit the rocks and that's it...smaller than the other shipwreck in Paphos..We were just thinking that it will be perfect during the summer season to jump to the water from it :) if they will not salvage it from the water..
Oct 18, 2011
 Paphos shipwreck too rusty to sink!
by: Helen (website owner)

Thought everyone might like an update on the infamous paphos shipwreck.

Authorities have been working with various organisations to try to arrange a sinking of the wreck in order for it to be used as a tourist attraction for divers - to rival the Xenobia wreck off the coast of Larnaca.

Sadly, investigations have concluded that the ship is too rusty to be safely sunk; apparently it would probably break up into many pieces, causing environmental issues and also danger to sealife, swimmers and other sea vessels.

So the priority is now to get the ship removed before it disintegrates - probably not in the short term though as this is Cyprus after all...
Oct 18, 2011
 Shipwreck Still There
by: Keith I

Still there when I returned home yesterday from a week at the St George Hotel.
Sep 20, 2011
 Still there as of Early September 2011
by: Dom

Could see the wreck from our hotel balcony at Hilltop Gardens - didn't even realise it was a wreck! Interesting to hear more about it, though.
Sep 15, 2011
 Glad I came across this site.
by: Anthony

Just come back from Paphos myself and was wondering what the ship on the coastline was, as I passed it most days and it never moved.

So thanks to everyone who has posted details. :o)
Aug 30, 2011
 Paphos Shipwreck Story
by: Anonymous

The ship, which was carrying a cargo of lumber, lost engine power and all control in heavy storms. After sending an SOS signal, the ship finally struck coral where it is now, and hasn't been moved since. There are plans to sink the ship and turn it into a diving site for scuba divers.
Aug 28, 2011
 The Boat off Paphos
by: Hannah

I went 6 years ago and the boat was there and have just come back this week and it's still there! Why hasn't anyone moved it?
Aug 15, 2011
 Paphos wreck
by: Anonymous

yep , just got back from Acteon Beach holiday village ( 14th Aug 2011) and the wreck is most undeniably still sitting there pointing at the coast and going nowhere faster than a depressed sea slug who just lost his job , his house and his Mrs Sea Slug !!
Aug 03, 2011
 Paphos shipwreck
by: ian

Just got back from Paphos and was checking out the name of the ship and I discovered it was called the Dimitrous 2 which ran aground in 1998.

But I also found another shipwreck of a ship called Dimitrous which is beached in a town called Gythio on the Greek mainland and I find it amazing that these 2 ships have similar names and have found the same fate. How odd.
Jul 30, 2011
 It's still there now!!!
by: Shacks

It's definitely still there, as I am currently looking at it while I am typing this entry from the top floor of the Atlantica Golden Beach Hotel
Jul 30, 2011
 Paphos wreck
by: Kate

Hi all,

Just thought I would add that a family friend has heard a completely different story, that the ship was carrying refugees from somewhere and they decided to run it aground in order to claim asylum but got stuck on the rock. Obviously after doing some research I know that's not true but just thought I would share the story.
Jul 26, 2011
 Paphos Shipwreck
by: Pedantic 1.

Somebody must have put it back then, cos it was there last week. (21 July 2011).
Jul 24, 2011
 Paphos Shipwreck gone?
by: Maria

Should have gone to specsavers mate. I sailed past the wreck just 2 days ago (22/07/11) It's most certainly still there!
Jul 22, 2011
 Ship wreck off coast of paphos
by: Anonymous

We were in Paphos at the end of June 2011 and could see the ship from the Tomb of the King's; however it had gone before we left on the 29th june 2011
Jul 18, 2011
 Paphos shipwrecks
by: Anonymous

The comment re a previous freighter wreck near the same sight is true. Called Eftikmon (peace), it was there in 1972/3. It was hauled onto the beach with chains and cut up. I have pictures. Phil Ward
May 19, 2011
 Paphos Shipwreck
by: Anonymous

Just arrived from Coral Bay Paphos yesterday and was told by a number of people that nothing was going to be done and it would rest there for many years to come
Apr 18, 2011
 Paphos shipwreck to become dive wreck
by: Helen (website owner)

Actually Dan, you are partly right. The Paphos area diving community has been pressing for someone to sink the ship so it can be used a prime dive site, to rival the fanous Xenobia wreck off the coast of Larnaca.

The latest report I read a couple of weeks ago was that funding is being pulled together and a survey is being done to quantify both the costs and the safety features to make sinking the wreck viable. Once this is completed, it is expected that the wreck may then be towed to a safe spot and then submerged but not until next year (2012) at the earliest.

I should say, however, that this is Cyprus and nothing ever happens quickly...so don't hold your breath! I'll report here if and when it is ever sunk.
Apr 18, 2011
 not for much longer?
by: dan4vans

After questioning most of the people who could speak English I spoke to a cockney fella serving in a restaurant on our last night ..13/4/2011.. he reliably informed me that the final paperwork is underway to re-float the shell of the wreck, tow her out further and sink her this year.. he says she'll be then checked over and prepped to let divers go on.. his estimate was she's been there for 13 years. The name is now too rusty to read even with binnocs.. I'm glad to have found a site like this and will watch for updates.
Mar 30, 2011
 It's still there!!!!!
by: Anonymous

Got back from paphos about a week ago and i can assure you it's still there and it most certainly is a wreck I asked a local who told me it's the wreck of the demetrius 11 which got stuck on rocks and was a bit too expensive for the owners to get moved and the authorities refused to take responsibility for it so it will stay there until someone gives in or the ship gives up and leaves by itself. I was led to believe it's been there for at least ten years so I think it's quite comfy and staying put.
Lisa
Jan 16, 2011
 Paphos shipwreck mix up
by: Anonymous

I think some of you are geting the Paphos wreck mixed up with the wreck of Zenobia which was anchored about 2km offshore at Larnaca due to a listing problem and ultimately sunk in 1980.
Dec 13, 2010
 Wikipedia entry regarding Demetrios II
by: Anonymous

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Demetrios_II
Oct 25, 2010
 PAPHOS SHIPWRECK
by: Anonymous

Just back from Paphos and the local boat crews say that the ship foundered after losing its rudder in heavy seas in 1998.
Everything of value has been plundered and it is now too expensive to remove what remains.
Sep 19, 2010
 Jess your sooooo wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by: Minty

On 23 March 1998, the Honduran-flagged M/V Demetrios II ran aground off Paphos Lighthouse, close to Chloraka Village, in heavy seas during a voyage from Greece to Syria with a cargo of timber.
Thank you very much!!!
Aug 30, 2010
 Missing Propellor
by: Anonymous

Just come back from Paphos, went on Wavedancer. I was informed by the owner of Wavedancer that the timber was stolen along with anything of value a long time ago and more recently a group of males have stolen the propellor!
Aug 19, 2010
 More shipwrecks in Cyprus in the Akamas
by: munki

There was also another ship that ran aground,this was almost at the tip of the Akamas peninsular on the Latchi/Polis side.
This is now broken up on the seabed and on the shore and can be snorkeled or dived on by boat or from land.
Talking to locals who date it at pre 1980 I think this may be the 1978 wreck mentioned, as it was intact ,albeit in various states of decay for years.
Aug 04, 2010
 Come on now...
by: The Truth

You've already said you made it up. Are you insane? Have you no soul?
It was 1998, I even gave the damn name of the vessel in my comment, now please leave it.
For the record the only reason I ended up at this site is because I was researching grounded ships. Think about that for a minute.
Aug 03, 2010
 Not 1998
by: Jess

@Helen. I can assure you now it was certainly there before 1998 as my father was sent to Cyprus in the army from late 1970's and I can be certain that it was most definitely there at least in the 1980's. It was there before my sister was born in 1988 and my father left Cyprus roughly around 1985, having seen the shipwreck whilst on post there. So I'm afraid that whatever sources you have used that tell you it was 1998 are completely mistaken.

To add to this, I was born in 1990 and family members of mine went on holiday to Cyprus 2 years later in 1992. My father took them to see the shipwreck whilst touring the 'Tombs of the kings' area of the Island that also proves that date you have provided is completely wrong.
Aug 02, 2010
 Paphos shipwreck is the truth
by: The Truth...

The Truth has already spoken. He does not lie.
Nor does Helen, who's original comment I somehow missed.
Aug 02, 2010
 Paphos shipwreck
by: Helen (website owner)

Jess, if you read my original post at the bottom of the page I said 1998 NOT 1978.

A few posts further up I clarified the date and said that if the date of 1978 was seen on a photograph then it was probably a typo..

So sorry but according to all my sources it was 1998.

I'll let the rest of you argue it out as this is my last comment on the subject.

Helen
Aug 01, 2010
 Paphos shipwreck
by: Jess

@Everyone, as helen has stated it run aground in 1978. I rest my case
Jul 31, 2010
 Paphos shipwreck
by: Helen

Yes I run this website and I posted the correct answer back in April 2008 (after carefully researching and checking all available sources and news archives) as to when, where and how the ship ran aground off the coast of Paphos. You just need to page down to the bottom of the page to read the answer.

It's amusing to see how such an iconic landmark generates such a lot of debate. I do hope they never take it away :)
Jul 30, 2010
 Shipwreck of Paphos
by: Anonymous

Just got back from Cyprus and I have seen the wreck for the last 3 years and the lady called Helen is absolutly right about its cargo and date
Jul 29, 2010
 Paphos shipwreck
by: Jess

For everyone who is having a go, I made it up? So I'm getting bored of this, either way there's a shipwreck there.
Jul 28, 2010
 Observations on the Paphos shipwreck
by: Anonymous

I got back from paphos yesterday, and I could see this from my balcony (Pafian park hotel) and wondered what it was.

It is rather nice to see on the coast
the waves hitting up against the side of it makes it seem like it is part of the land.
Jul 25, 2010
 Ship being there since 1970s!!!!???
by: Anonymous

@Jess; to say that your dad saw the shipwreck in Paphos since the 1970's is a load of rubbish. My father was a serving soldier here too in the early 70s and came back frequently on military matters and on holidays from thereafter. He never saw any wreck of a ship in Paphos at that time. I have been coming to Paphos on holidays with my family since 1988 and then emigrated here in 1997 so I know that your statement is completely false I'm afraid. The ship was not grounded at anytime before 1998. It occured in 1998, and unless my memory deceives me, during the world cup. There was a rumour that the crew were all watching a world cup match with no one on the bridge. There was another rumour that the ship was deliberately ran aground for insurance purposes; if you think about it, why would it be that close to the shore when all shipping traffic heading to Limassol port are much much further out!
Jul 15, 2010
 Shipwreck
by: Anonymous

I've just got back fom Paphos where I saw the wreck for the first time. It obviously has'nt been there since the 1970s. In any event it wasn't there when I was in Paphos in the late 80s.
Jun 29, 2010
 MV Demetrios II
by: The Truth

It's the MV Demetrios II, built in 1964 and ran aground in 1998, indeed with a cargo of timber.
For the record, it's relatively easy to see it's not been there for decades, as a ship left for so long without maintenance would be incredibly rusted.
Jun 21, 2010
 Paphos shipwreck
by: Anonymous

I heard it was a drunk Russian captain who ran it aground , not sure when though lol
Apr 26, 2010
 70's pictures of the Paphos shipwreck
by: Anonymous

show us a picture of it from the 70s to prove it was there as your dad says
Apr 25, 2010
 Ship in Paphos there since 1970's
by: Jess

My father was in the army in cyprus (Dekhalia or however you spell it) back in the 1960's/70's) The ship was grounded there when he was in the army back then so it has been there for over 30 years now. As to how it got there, im not so sure....but for those people who say it run aground in 1998 or whatever are most certainly wrong. My dad has photos of when he was there in the army of the ship was stuck there in humiliation!
Apr 22, 2010
 I was there when the Paphos shipwreck ran aground
by: Porky

It actually got stuck on the rocks in a storm in 1998, just a few weeks before I went there. They were still in the process of salvaging its cargo and engines. There was talk of turning it into a nightclub........but obviously didn't!
Mar 18, 2010
 Shipwreck, Paphos, Cyprus
by: Tony from Blackburn, Lancashire, England

I thought it was pretty astonishing, I could see it from my hotel balcony(Hill Top Gardens) took photos, and was thinking about how it got there! I thought that boat was a bit close to the shore, then I realised it was stuck on a rock. I visited Paphos in Christmas 2008, the weather was brilliant! can't say the same about the KFC!
Sep 13, 2009
 Ship wreck
by: Brian

Hi Josh,

Just got back from holiday in Cyprus,my kids went for a dive lesson with Abyiss dive centre.
I was curious to the ship in the bay and asked one of the divers,he informed me that it ran aground 12 years ago laiden with timber,a local salvage company bought the ship for scrap and has sat there since.
The cyprus government have tried to buy it back but it is now too expensive, this is only what I have been told how true it is I dont know.
Jun 16, 2009
 Dimitrious 2 (name of the ship)
by: Rudi

Just back from Cyprus,people over there told me the wreck has been there since 1976,and had something to do with smuggling and went aground during a storm.
Mar 09, 2009
 Paphos shipwreck real story
by: Helen

Just see the first entry I made at the bottom of the page for the "real" story - the boat is not Turkish Cypriot...
Mar 09, 2009
 Paphos Wreck - Can we have our boat back!
by: Len.

I've just returned from Paphos and, like lots of other people, have been wondering about the ship grounded off the coast there. According to one British person that claims to have been living there for 10 years, the ship was (is) Turkish Cypriot owned and the crew ditched the boat there for who knows what reason. Apparently, the owners of the ship have asked for it's return but, because they can, the Greek Cypriot powers that be, have said "no!" Unsure of when this all took place, I was informed that the cargo of timber is still on board.
There are also stories that the ship has something to do with the Russians. On the other hand, of course, my opinion is that it could have connections with 'little green men' from........errr, you know where!
Oct 03, 2008
 Date of Shipwreck
by: Helen

Hi Tony

Although I've only lived on the island since 2005, I've checked the date from several sources and I firmly believe it did run aground in 1998.

There is an archive story at the local library from the Cyprus Mail which reported the event when it happened.

The picture you saw with an earlier date probably had a typo putting 1978 instead of 1998.

Helen
Oct 02, 2008
 Paphos shipwreck
by: tony

If the ship has been there since 1992 then its a bit strange how I saw a picture of the shipwreck and the picture was dated 1978. I just want to find out when it really happend.
Jul 03, 2008
 Fascination over Paphos shipwreck
by: Nikki

We are just back from Coral bay cyprus and were so curious to find out more about the ship, we found it fascinating! we hired a speed boat so we could have a better look & get some pictures. Thanks for the information!
Apr 17, 2008
 Paphos shipwreck history
by: Helen

The shipwreck off Paphos has become an icon and something of a tourist attraction.
It has been there since March 23rd 1998 when it ran aground during a storm.

Situated near to Paphos lighthouse, in between the village of Chlorakas and Coral bay, the ship was called the MV Demetrios,l came from Honduras and was carrying a load of timber en route from Greece to Syria.

The eight strong crew was airlifted to safety in Paphos when the ship ran aground.

Reports in the Cyprus Mail said that the crews paperwork, including their seafarer licences were forged.
This was confirmed in a report from Lloyds saying that the Greek captain and his first officer, from Pakistan, were using fake documents.
from Liberia.

Whatever the case, the ship remains stranded to this day on the rocks near the lighthouse. It's a true landmark and one of immense curiosity which is why you wanted to know why it was there Josh!

The cost and/or difficulty of removing it would be too great. And Paphos would lose one of its tourist attractions!

Incidentally, I know that somebody applied for permission to turn it into a disco boat a few years back.
But you can probably see why the application was rejected as it's a little dangerous to get anywhere near the boat.

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