Tec Dive

BILL BOYD

Lat 26 09.528 Lon 80 04.760 This 211 foot German freighter was built in Hamburg in 1964. She was originally named Heino, then renamed Maude Wonsild, Mauds Isa, Hem Berto, Marilyn and finally Nata. The vessel was renamed once more before her sinking on July 18, 1986, after a pioneer in sport fishing, Bill Boyd.

The 211-foot Freighter wreck now sits in 265 feet of water and rises 70 feet off the bottom. Due to her depth, this wreck is not dove too often and is used mostly for fishing. In May of 1988, a world record mutton snapper was caught on the Bill Boyd Reef.

CAICOS EXPRESS

Lat 26 12.502 Lon 80 03.663 The Caicos Express was a 188 foot freighter built in 1956. It had
a 29 foot beam and was powered by a diesel engine. The ship was sunk off Ft. Lauderdale as an artificial reef on November 12, 1985. It now sits upright in the sand at 240 feet. Before the sinking, the ship was used as a set for several episodes of Miami Vice.

CLINTON (DEWITT CLINTON )

Lat 26 14.056 Lon 80 03.666 A 170-foot Freighter was sank in 156 feet of water on May,12 1995. The dive sites in Pompano Beach are very easy to get to. Each is a 15 to 25 minute ride through the calm waters of the intercoastal waterway and then less than 10 minutes in the ocean.

COREY AND CHRIS

The Corey N Chris was originally the 130-foot long dredge BC-246, and was owned by the U.S. Army.
The Army Dredge was named after the two sons of Carlos Sanchez, a Boca Raton man who won a contest to name the new artificial reef. It was built in 1942 by the Nashville Bridge Company, the BC-246 eventually was sold and renamed as the Trident. At the end of her useful career, the rusting dredge was acquired for $30,000 and sunk on May 18, 1986, through the efforts of the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo, Inc. and Broward County. The vessel was originally intended to be placed in 200 feet of water, but she ultimately came to rest on the seabed at a depth of approximately 268 feet. Oriented with her bow pointing towards shore, there is a slight slope associated with the site; the depth around her stern approaches 270 feet, while the sand off her bow is 255 feet in depth.

GUY HARVEY

Lat 26 12.647 Lon 80 03.944 A 175-foot Freighter was sank in 145 feet of water on May,18 1997. This is definitely an advanced dive.

Visitors will be treated to a viewing of Guy Harvey's paintings of shark and others game fish on the side of the wreck. Although it's only been down since may 97, Barracudas hogfish and some nice size lobster have claimed it as their home.

HYDRO ATLANTIC WRECK

Lat 26 19.500 Lon 80 03.043 On December 7, 1987, a ship of huge proportions sank in a storm just one mile east of the Boca Raton Inlet. The ship was being towed to Brownsville, Texas where it was to be salvaged. Instead it sank on our door step and was discovered one month later by Captain David Turbeville. Today the Hydro Atlantic is considered to be one of the 10 best dives in the United States. Lying in 172 feet of water, the 320 foot long freighter is a real ship wreck, not a diver prepared, artificial reef wreck. A huge crane stands mid ship, with one of the ship's main anchors at its base. The winch is still on the bow and the engine is still in the engine room. This is a real wreck! Her deck is still crowded with equipment. Pipes that traverses the old hull from one pump to another. Cranes and giant winches still laden with cables.

Barely recognizable, they are all covered with a thick blanket of coral, sponge and soft corals, like those in the picture above. Thousand of tropical fish dart in and out of every pipe and porthole seeking shelter from predators, while barracuda and shark lurk in the distant shadows. Rope, cable and fishing line cover almost every inch of the wreck. Years of strong currents, the effects of saltwater erosion and the immense growth of corals have all taken their toll on the ship's structure.

This Picture is ones of superstructure of Hydro that rises up to depth of 98 feet. Some walls of the superstructure have collapsed and the hull has started to crush under the weight of its deck and machinery providing new access to inner passages. As a true wreck, equipment intact, with such of abundance of growth and so many opportunity for penetration, the Hydro Atlantics is one the best wrecks in Florida and is a must for the serious wreck diver.

Tour the deck at 145 feet and enjoy the forest of soft coral that decorates the wreck. Perch on the bow with clouds of bait fish. Dive the Hydro Atlantic once and you will leave wanting to return again and again. This is one of best wreck dive in the country. Hydro Atlantic Blue Print.

JIM ATRIA ARTIFICIAL REEF

Lat 26 09.520 Lon 80 04.760 Location. Four miles north of the Port Everglades Cut; just outside the third reef line. In September 1987, the Broward County Artificial Reef Program sank the 240-foot Dutch freighter Poinciana, built in 1961 on her port side in 110 feet of water. The name was changed to Jim Atria, after Jim Atria who is a Broward County developer, diver and sport fisherman. Atria played a major role in having the ship sunk, his way of thanking the community that had been so good to him over the years. On right side picture of Jim Atria at Dry Dock in Hoboken, NJ in 1964. Also in the photo is Evert Seuter (Red) a Gentleman that worked in the early 1960's at ship for two years and in April 2004 he came down to dive the Atria with us. Please notice her 2 masts and the Empire State building in the background. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew moved the ship more than 1/4 mile offshore and sitting upright to a depth of 132 feet. Her 2 masts are intact, rise to 70 feet, the highest point of the wreck and are covered by various corals and sea fans, providing great photo opportunities when ascending from the main deck. Other beautiful spots for memorable shots are the corner of the main deck as it meets the wheelhouse on the starboard side which, in itself is covered with staggering growth, and several open hatches adorned with tremendous growth. Wreck divers are invited to explore the inside of several openings at the wheelhouse at 95 feet. For the naturalist, Black Groupers, and Hogfish can be found under the hull at the sand, Glassy Sweepers and Squirrelfish in the cargo hold, thousands of Snappers and Grunts hiding in nooks, schools of Barracuda hovering as you descend and Amberjacks speeding through thousands of swimming baitfish above. Seventeen years of growth has made for a beautiful site, teeming with sea life, a favorite among local divers, standing out as one of the best.

LOWRANCE

Lat 26 13.202 Lon 80 03.640 A 420-foot Freighter was sank in 210 feet of water on March,31 1984. It was sank as an artificial reef, most of its superstructure has been dismantled or cut away. Fished hard for many years, thousands of yards of monofilament cover almost every inch of the wreckage. Extreme caution and a good set of cuttig tools are a requirement for this dive. Renamed several times, her last name before becoming an artificial reef was the Mason.

The Gulf Stream currents continuously flush this wreck , where even at this depth a lot of sea life is present. It is 420 feet long and 55 feet wide and over five stories tall, it makes a very good dive for advanced technical diver. Features to enjoy while diving the wreck are the vast cargo holds with interesting contents and the outside passage ways on the main deck. The deck is laced with mono filament line and can be a significant hazard. Enjoy the dive but be careful.

Diving trimix 19% oxygen and 28% helium is ideal mix to keep the oxygen toxicity levels minimized and lower the effects of nitrogen narcosis within safe limits. One hundred per cent oxygen and 50% nitrox is used for the 30 minute planned bottom time, and 65 minutes of required decompression.

Picture of A. Pavan and Keith Higdon after a Trimix dive at Lowrance . Excellent dive, it is so big that looks like a city underwater .It is our biggest wreck in the area.

MILLER LITE

A 186-foot Freighter was sank in 164 feet of water on May, 17 1987 off Pompano Beach. It should be emphasized that although parts of the Miller Lite are in recreational diving depths, this wreck should only be visited by properly trained, experienced divers. In 1957 a German refrigerator cargo vessel was commissioned the Mini-horn, it was a beautiful ship. She was in service for almost 30 years before her demise.

During that time she was given two other names, with her final one being Miller Lite, for the sponsor that helped finance her sinking. The Broward Department of Natural resource Protection has one of the largest artificial reef programs in the world. In 1987 it obtained ownership of the vessel, cleaned it and was sank during the yearly Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo. During the sinking there were 200 boaters and 1,000 people on the shore watching the explosion, which could be seen for ten miles.

PAPPA'S WRECK

A 170-foot Freighter was sank in 277 feet of water on May,14 1989. The Pappa's Wreck is south of the Hillsboro inlet. It takes a while to get there. The area around the prop is interesting and complex. The prop and rudder are still there, and there's a compartment by the prop with a lot of growth in it. There are several large cargo holds and numerous openings into the wreck.

RBJ WRECK

On May 18, 1986, the 130© U.S. Army dredge Corey N. Chris was sunk as an artificial reef as part of the Broward County artificial reef program. Later, on May 15, 1988, the Ronald B. Johnson, a 226© freighter, was to be sunk in close proximity to this vessel. At the time of the scuttle there were strong currents and things did not go as planned. RBJ was sank in 260 feet of water.

As it turned out, the Ronald B. Johnson landed right on top of the Corey N. Chris and at a 90 degree orientation. As far as divers are concerned, the general consensus is that things went better than planned. These two wrecks make a spectacular site as the diver descends and the two ships come into view. See picture, sketch drawn in 1993 by Captain Jim Mims . Warning Trimix rated divers only on this one!

R. B. JOHNSON

Formerly known as the M/V Otto, the Ronald B. Johnson was a 226-foot long freighter. This general cargo freighter was constructed at Deest, Holland in 1955 for the Otto Shipping Company, Ltd. A young girl named the freighter after her uncle Ronald B. Johnson, a serviceman who died in Vietnam, following a raffle conducted by Broward County. During a joint operation with the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team from Jacksonville, Resolve Marine Group sank the Ronald B. Johnson with C-4 explosives on May 15, 1988 © almost two years to the day after the sinking of the Corey N Chris. Amazingly, the hull of the Ronald B. Johnson came to rest directly across the deck of the dredge Corey N Chris. While the Corey N Chris is oriented along the east-west axis, the Ronald B. Johnson runs north-south over the perpendicular hull of the older dredge.The vessel was destined for use as an artificial reef after she had run aground in Kingston, Jamaica and was abandoned by her owners. Resolve Marine Group patched and refloated the vessel, which was subsequently towed to Florida. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided funds to help clean the vessel in preparation for use as an artificial reef.Initially, the hull of the R.B. Johnson was fully supported by the hull of the Corey N Chris. While the bow of the large freighter rested on the sandy seabed, the stern of the Ronald B. Johnson arced up and was suspended in the water column at an approximate 45-degree angle, rising to within 120 feet of the surface. However, time and the forces of nature worked to weaken the integrity of the Johnson. The influence of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 delivered the final blow, as the keel of the freighter collapsed fore and aft of its bisection with the Corey N Chris. Two ships, their sinkings separated by approximately two years, now rest in one discrete area off South Florida.

"RBJ© is definitely a technical dive, because of her maximum depth averaging approximately 260 feet. Frequently, strong currents sweep over the site, and divers have also experienced cold-water upwellings that drop the bottom temperature into the low 50s. However, when conditions are nice, the "RBJ© can be an awe-inspiring dive.

The stern of the dredge rests at the eastern-most point of the site, which is in slightly deeper water than the inshore side of its conjoined neighbor, the Ronald B. Johnson. Both wrecks were enveloped by monofilament line from unlucky fishermen, while a few anchors were also spotted amongst the artificial reef site. On this particular day there was an odd absence of marine life. Typically, it is not uncommon to observe grouper, amberjack, and other large denizens of the deep on the "RBJ.©

However, only a few large mutton snapper made their presence known to my fellow divers as we traversed the wrecks.

Where else can you get two spectacular dives for the price of one?

RENEGADE

This 150 foot long Dutch freighter was built in Holland in 1951. She was originally named Capri, then Falken, then renamed Capri. In 1958 she was sold and renamed Karl Johan, then renamed Santa M. Anglers on the charter fishing boat Renegade won a fishing tournament in 1985, and donated their winnings to sponsor an artificial reef. After being renamed Renegade, she was sunk in deep water on July 10, 1985. Today the Renegade rests in 190 feet of water.

RODEO 25

Lat 26 13.878 Lon 80 03.813 Located 1-1/2 due east of the Pompano Pier on the outside of the third reef. The 215-foot twin-masted Dutch freighter Windward Trader was sunk in May 1990 to celebrate the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo's 25th anniversary. This Dutch freighter was built in 1956. She is 215 feet long and has a 33 foot beam. She was sunk while almost 100,000 spectators watched.

Today, this twin masted freighter sits upright in 130 feet of water. The main deck is at 100 feet of water and the masts rise to within 52 feet of the surface. Because the Rodeo 25 lies at the limit of recreational diving, she makes a good practice dive for technical divers.
She is deep enough to practice the ins and outs of the ups and downs and still get decent bottom time as a no decompression dive.

RSB-1

A 160-foot US Tender was sunk in 120 feet of water the bow facing North on May 14, 1994. There are large holes in the hold making this an easy wreck to penetrate. With the deck at 90 feet and the sand at 110 feet you can do this dive on air if you wish, but you'll get a lot more bottom time on Nitrox i.e. 16 minutes on air and 29 minutes on EANx36.

Below picture of two French Angels on top of RSB-1.

Below picture of Barracuda inside of RSB-1 wheelhouse. picture by Pavan taken on 07/09/00.

SUCRE

Last named the Sucre, this 237 foot long, German freighter, was sunk on April 27, 1996 as part of the Broward County artificial reef program. Today the wreck lies upright in 210 feet of water with the main deck at 190 feet of water. It was also named Johnny Morris once.

A good reason for diving a new wreck is to see it before it is encrusted in coral and then appreciate it later for the fine job nature does on our artificial reefs. But, this wreck is worth diving for it's own merits. It has a lot of relief with a high bridge and deep cargo holds. Two cranes flank the cargo holds, and a heavy anchor chain runs from the bow out onto the sand.

Doing it on Trimix you can get the most out of the dive --- there is a lot to see and remember. A 200-foot Freighter was sank in 220 feet of water on May,13 1996.

SKY CLIFF

This 320 foot long wreck lies upright in 200 feet of water, just outside the Boynton inlet pointing slightly east of north-south. Soft coral is starting to blanket this wreck and the schools of Jacks that circle it provide a great visual treat. While this ship wreck is still dove on air, Trimix is the gas of choice for those who want to remember all they saw.

TENNECO TOWER SHALLOW

It is the most spectacular artificial reef off Fort Lauderdale. Just 1.5 miles offshore, off Hallandale to the north, near the Dade/Broward County line, these old oil rigs provides a unique and popular dive site. Sunk in 1985, the five sections are former oil drilling platforms, the second reef established and donated by the Tenneco Oil Company (the first is 22 miles of southeast of Pensacola). The reef consists of two complete production platforms previously situated 75 miles southwest of Morgan City, Louisiana as well as the drilling deck of another platform that was 90 miles southwest of the city. Tenneco brought the towers 920 miles by barge, around the Florida Keys. The structure weighs more than 912 tons and has a total surface area of 100,000 square feet. The tiers are completely covered by a vast array of sponges, gorgonians and invertebrates. The brilliance of all the colors makes for some spectacular photographs. The three sections within safe diving limits lie at a depth up to 115 feet, rising to within 65 feet of the surface and range in size from 25 to 40 feet. Most divers plan a multilevel profile to get the most out of the site. Bull sharks, amberjacks and other large fish are seen in virtually every dive. It's also a great night dive, thanks to the abundant marine life and abundant coral growth.

TENNECO TOWER DEEP

Lat 25 58 901 Lon 80 04 799 The deeper two sections were placed for fishery resources and one rest in about 205 feet and another at about 185 feet of Water. They were sunk in October of 1985 and there is we find thousands of different fishes. Occasionally seen giant Goliath Grouper, Turtles and many more schools of pelagic fish such as Bonitas, Great Amberjack, Tarpon, Reef Sharks and Bull Sharks. The relief for all of these sections is about 50 feet and is easily found with a standard depth finder or good land mark. Excellent site for Tech divers diving with Trimix.

TRACOR DRY DOCK

Lat 26 06.765 Lon 80 04.233 The steel hulled Tracor was a 200 foot long Navy dry dock. She was sunk as an artificial reef on June 22, 1982. Today the dry dock lies upright in 220 feet of water with about 30 feet of relief a barge is sitting in one side of the dry dock making a big swim thru like the one on the RBJ. It's in Fort Lauderdale close to Port Everglades. The site is sometimes called Nova Reef or Molds.

North West of the Dry Dock are molds used by Chris Craft to build fiber glass boats. These molds were sunk in the 1970's to form an artificial reef.

To the SE is another big barge about 50 feet from the dry dock. Because of sometimes strong currents and generous amounts of monofilament line this dive is best done on trimix.

An example of a drydock, similar to the Tracor Drydock.

EMPTY THEATER REEF
Lat/Long: 26 27.904©N & 80 02.657© W.
Location just off Boca Raton at 140 feet deep one quarter mile north of Boca Inlet. One s of deepest reef in the area with ledge as High as 9 feet. The size of reef is about 70 yards and have peculiar passage on north side where is like 6 feet in diameter arch (see Pictures). Because of depth there isn©t much of marine life but one dive I saw two good size nurse sharks and some small hogfish. I personally like the dive and want to visit these innumerous times. Please take a look on some pictures where I did dive with Hugh Henderson and Domingos Souza (Lambada Dive Team).