Genova

The Genova was a British-built cargo ship, launched in 1904 and tragically sunk during World War I. On 27 July 1917, while transporting military supplies from Genoa to La Spezia, she was torpedoed by a German submarine off the coast of Paraggi Bay. The attack struck the port side near the bow.

Despite the severity of the explosion, only one casualty was reported—a sailor who was close to the impact zone. The vessel sank slowly, taking nearly eight hours to slip beneath the waves.

In the years between the two world wars, salvage operations recovered much of the cargo. Sadly, during one of these dives, a diver lost his life.

Wreck Overview

• Length: 103.75 m

• Beam: 14.63 m

• Gross tonnage: 3,486 tons

• Propulsion: Two boilers and a single propeller

• Depth: Lying at approximately 60 m, with the superstructure rising to around 48 m

• Position: Resting upright, bow facing east, off the coast of Portofino

The Genova lies in navigation position, fully intact along its length, making it a fascinating and historically rich dive for technical divers. However, visibility can vary significantly due to the strong bottom currents typical of this area of the gulf.

Dive Highlights

The bow section is particularly dramatic and imposing. Inside, you can glimpse the remains of the crew quarters. At a depth of 54 metres, just beyond the forward hold with its two large openings, you’ll reach the ship’s central structures—the most heavily damaged part of the wreck.

Further aft, near the base of what remains of the funnel, it’s possible to see the two large boilers through an opening. Moving past the engine room, you’ll encounter cargo cranes situated between the two openings of the aft hold.

Within the aft section lies the massive propeller, partially hidden in silt, a striking reminder of the ship’s former power. Along the hull, numerous portholes remain visible all the way to the stern, where divers can admire the enormous rudder and propeller, the latter resting in the seabed at the level of the shaft.