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UPY 2026 Wrecks - Runner Up
'Living wreck'
Jean-Baptiste Cazajous
The Donator, or Prosper Schiaffino, is a cargo ship wreck that was sunk by a mine in 1945. It is one of the most famous wrecks on the French coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. This wreck is an amazing artificial reef. Every inch of it is covered in life. Gorgonians, sponges—it's a beautiful mix of colors. It shelters a very important fauna, with thousands of anthias, large schools of all kinds of fish, groupers, dentex and more. Fun fact : we submitted a photo of the Donator's stern to UPY last year, but it didn't make the final cut. Determined to improve this photo, my friend Florian and I went back to shoot the Donator this year, and this time it's among the winners. Never give up guys!
Judge's comment: A classic wreck image packed with life that invites you into the scene, with purple gorgonians on the stern and clouds of damselfish thronging above. Makes us want to dive right in.
Alex Mustard
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