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Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Ft.Lauderdale South Florida Wreck Dive Sites
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ALPHA Lat 26 13.857 Lon 80 04.027 Located 1-1/2 miles due east of the Pompano Pier on the outside edge of the third reef. A 85- foot,steel hulled schooner was sank in 78 feet of water on March,25 1989. This ship was originally built as the Bahamian Alpha in 1918. She sailed as a charter vessel throughout the Virgin Islands. During World War II, the Alpha was used as a submarine spotting ship. Today she sits on her side in 78 feet of water and is breaking up. Just north of the Alpha are two tug boats known as the Qualmann Tugs and several other smaller boats. All are in an area named Rodeo Divers' Reef. |
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Lat 26 18.110 Lon 80 03.700 Location: Almost a mile offshore inside the third reef line. The former Coast Guard Cutter Nemesis served as a sub chaser during WW II; she was launched in 1934 from Point Pleasant, Virginia. The 337 ton, rivet steel ship was permanently stationed in St. Petersburg, where she served and protected Florida. Although not the fastest ship in the fleet, she was perfectly designed for search and rescue missions in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. The constant battering of hurricanes kept the Nemesis busy picking up survivors from disabled and weather- beaten ships and towing stricken vessels to safety. From 1934 to 1942, she saved hundreds of lives as well as millions of dollars worth of property. During world War II, the Nemesis was used for an entirely different purpose. As 1942 rolled in, German U-boats were putting tremendous pressure on commercial shipping off the coast of U.S. These warships target oil tankers making their way from Texas and South America. The cutter was used for hunting down Nazi subs, and prove very good at it. After the war, she was again stationed in St. Petersburg, until her decommissioning in 1964. In 1979, a local business bought the vessel and converted into a floating restaurant and bar. The owner ran into financial problems and sold the vessel. |
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The new owner rename the ship/restaurant as the Ancient Mariner and were scheduled to reopen in 1981. This is when the story turns bizarre. Just before the reopening in 1981, she capsized and sank at the dock, for no apparent reason. It took more then $85,000 to re-float and renovate the water damaged restaurant. Once again open, the Ancient Mariner became popular eatery in the Fort Lauderdale area. In 1986, however, an event still remembered by locals sealed the ship's fate. More than 100 customers and restaurant employees contracted hepatitis A from an infected salad maker employed at the restaurant. This was the largest outbreak of hepatitis A in Florida history. The running joke among divers is to not eat any fish caught on the wreck just in case some of the virus is still around. She was sunk as an artificial reef in June 9, 1991 as part of the Broward Reef program. The 165- foot Cutter rest in 70 feet of water. A steel-hulled work boat named the C-Note sits 60 feet West of her bow. |
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Lat 26 09.040 Lon 80 03.690 Formerly known as A.L. Spencer a tugboat built in 1940 and sunk at August 15 of 1987 at depth 0f 70' feet. Her original name was A.L. Spencer, and she was owned by Marcona Ocean Ind. She was originally used to tow sand laden barges from the Bahamas to Florida. It has length of 65' feet with beam 16.5' feet. Excellent wreck to be done to test your navigation skills after done the Ancient Mariner. Some divers Have been have luck with lobsters in this wreck. According to the Broward County Artificial Reef Program, there is a 40 foot steel boat hull and a 50 foot steel houseboat lying 100 feet southwest of this wreck.The Berry Patch lies only 150 feet away from the Ancient Mariner. |
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 Also if you are a Navyseal diver in underwater navigation you can go for all other two more wrecks around C-NOTE WRECK and CHUCK-A-LUCK II . |
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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. |
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Located approximately one mile offshore, in line with Spanish River Park in Boca Raton, sitting in 82 feet of water in between the fingers of Boca reef, this simple engine Cessna 210 measuring about 25 feet crashed around 1978 after been chased by police for drug smuggle. With the impact the engine broke apart and now it sits 600 feet away from the airplane wreckage. The wreck is sitting upside down with the wings touching the sand. It is a small wreck, but excellent dive with schools of Atlantic spadefish circling the wreck; lobsters are frequent seen under it. The picture below was taken in April 16, 2000 by Pavan from Dixie Divers of Deerfield Beach. |
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Located just slight south of Boca Inlet sitting on sand about 62 feet deep. Good concentration of fish, I was amazed that small wreck can attract so much live around. The wreck look like a giant lobster trap about 25 feet across and 8 high. I have no further information about this wreck If any body has more let me know. Special thanks to Captain Rob McBrayer of Lady Go Diver for found this wreck and let me know and trop me to take some pictures. |
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Lat 26 28.70Lon 80.02.31 Location: 4-1/2 miles south of Boynton Inlet. One Nautical mile offshore With the financial help of Budweiser, this 167- foot coastal freighter was placed down in July 1987 as part of the Palm Beach Artificial Reef Program. It rests in 87 feet of water. The deck is 70 feet under and has a large open section that can be easily entered. Davitis, funnels and the propeller were left intact. This is an excellent dive. |
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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. |
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Lat 26 13.857 Lon 80 03.960 Location: Just south of the Jay Dorman Artificial Reef. 1 1/2 mile from shore, just outside the third reef line. The 175-foot Coast Guard buoy tender Hollyhock was sunk in February, 20 1990 in memory of Capt DAN GARNSEY, a long time Broward County resident and owner of the drift fishing boat Helen S. Garnsey died in the year Captain Dan was placed on the bottom. This ship spend most of her 53 years career as the Coast Guard buoy tender Hollyhock. The sinking was delayed for more than a month because, ironically, the high seas caused by January storms were too rough to sink a ship. |
 The wreck still completely but it is inundated with more than eight years growth. This growth was accelerate by the almost constant current that flows around it. The former U.S. Coast Guard vessel and treasure hunter has rapidly developed into an underwater treasure of its own. |
 The wreck emerges into view as divers descend just a few feet from the surface. Visibility at the site averages 50 to 75 feet, although there are days when it is so good the entire wreck can be distinguished at one glance. Captain Dan has been prepared with large access holes between the forepeak, cargo hold and engine room, providing certified wreck divers easy opportunity for penetration. It is definitely a jewel of Florida's 'Wreck Alley'. She lies upright in 110 feet of water in the rodeo reef site. This intact wreck is a great dive. Her wheelhouse is 70 feet below the surface.   |
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The Captain Tony a.k.a. M/V Becks was sunk on October 22, 1996 in 85 feet of water where she sits upright with her bow to the South. |
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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. |
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The Corey N Chris was originally the 130-foot long dredge BC-246, and was owned by the U.S. Army. |
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DC-3 AIRPLANE Lat 26 05.479 Lon 80 03.946 One of the artificial reefs in Fort Lauderdale is the venerable old DC-3 airplane. The aircraft, known as "Marriott Reef", begin sliding below the surface tail-first. |
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Beach Dive Location: 150 yards off the south end of Delrays Public Beach. This steel-hulled freighter, sunk in the 1920s, has become a very popular diving location that is excellent for the beginner. Many varieties of soft and hard corals have taken over the remains, which are now in three distinct parts. The parts can be located by sighting the dark shadows on the white sand bottom. Depths to the sand are 22 feet. Marco photography is excellent. This is a first class beach dive. Recent beach re-nourishment projects have raised the sand level around the area: however every time there is a strong easterly blow the wreckage reappears. Boat traffic is heavy, especially on the weekends. Be sure to fly your dive flag. |
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Lat 26 00.539 Lon 80 05.568 A tug boat sitting up right at 70 feet and the tip is 50 feet, it is in good condition and have some penetration. This wreck is close to other wrecks that was sunk as part of Broward County Artificial Reef Program. Other Wrecks close by are Capt. Dede a concrete ragboat and the Emma Boggs an LCM vessel both within swimming distance. Also is shipwreck call Curry Barge a litle bit away about 280 yards NE of the Emma Boggs with good navigation skills and breathing Nitrox is possible to see all. |
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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. |
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Lat 26 08.81 Lon 80 05.00 Location: Approximately one mile offshore. The 70-foot steel houseboat rests in 87 feet of water in a patch reef area. She has been down since 1987. A large number of sea creatures inhabit the wreckage. |
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Lat 26 09.102 Lon 80 04.786 Located approximately one mile offshore. In September 1996, a 180-foot barge flipped upside down while being deployed as an artificial reef. She rests in 65 feet of water. Just to her south are 1,200 feet of dredge pipe and concrete bridge beams placed in 1988. Thirty feet north are the remains of the Pacific Reef Lighthouse, and a small sail boat. Two hundred feet NNE rests the 120-foot barge Wayne in 70 feet of water. |
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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. |
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Lat 26 13.857 Lon 80 04.027 Located 1-1/2 miles directly offshore from the Pompano Pier ( just north of Atlantic Blvd.). The 130-foot luxury schooner Panda was sunk in May 1987 as an artificial reef memorial for Jay Dorman. |
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 The beautiful sailing ship rests in 78 feet of water on her port side. The vessel was formerly owned by the Emperor of Vietnam and later used as a charter craft for Windjammer Cruises before fire damage in 1984. The schooner Alpha lies only 50 feet north. |
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Lat 26 09.520 Lon 80 04.760 Location. Four miles north of the Port Everglades. This is an excellent wreck site in only 70 feet of water. The 100-foot harbor tugboat sits between two sleek sailing hulls. . The 45-foot Moonshot lies parallel to the Pride. A 40-foot yacht. the B.H. Lake, is 130 feet northeast of the Jay Scutti. |
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#LADY LUCK
Lat 26 13.782 Lon 80 03.815 South marker 324-foot Freighter was sank in 125 feet of water on This tanker ship which is longer than a football field was sold by the City of New York to The Shipwreck Park, Inc., a private 501 (C)(3) corporation, at a greatly reduced price. Shipwreck Park, Inc. has received sponsorship from the City of Pompano Beach, and the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, and others, for the purchase, towing, cleanup, installation of artworks, and sinking of the ship. The ship was towed from New York to a facility on the Miami River for cleanup and installation of artwork before the sinking. Pompano Beach artist Dennis MacDonald was hired to create several fun and unique underwater displays, including a casino theme for the ship deck. The art displays include gigantic dice, great for photo opportunities, as part of the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park sponsorship. the wreck can be dive at average depth of 90 feet it make a great dive opportunity for photo and video. We Dixie Divers book trip to this site very frequently but we required the all divers be Certificate Advanced Open Water and diving with Nitrox make a better enjoyment dive by spend more time in the Wreck safely. Be also aware that some times we have strong ripping current and those cases we must cancel the dive to wreck and for safety reasons we go to the reefs for drift dives.
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.jpg "Lady Luck Sharks")
July,23 2016. It was sank as an artificial reef. The f.jpg "Lady Luck Octopus")
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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 mono-filament cover almost every inch of the wreckage. Extreme caution and a good set of cutting tools are a requirement for this dive. Renamed several times, her last name before becoming an artificial reef was the Mason. |
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 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. |
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Lat 26 19.162 Lon 80 03.198 Lat (Bow) Lat 26 19.180 Lon 80 03.195 (Stern) A 170-foot off-shore supply Vessel was sunk in 142 feet of water on June, 06 2009. It was sunk as an artificial reef, most of its superstructure has been dismantled or cut away to make safe for divers. The top of wheelhouse is about 100 feet and next level where the statue of angel 14 feet tall weighting 3500 Lbs made of bronze is about 110 feet deep. Deck of the vessel 120 feet and wreck penetration only for experienced and trained divers. This dive is deep and all trained recreation divers should not exceed 130 feet and the suggest mix for this site is 28% Nitrox. The idea of placing a shipwreck off of Deerfield Beach started nine years ago. As I see it, as a dive store owner, we can do a better job by creating more artificial reefs to benefit the environment and also our local economy. I tried the first time in conjunction with the Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce and organizer of the annual Beach Blowout, Jim Mathie, and assistance of Ray McAllister. A couple of times we got very close to acquire a ship to make artificial reefs but weve had problems with the permits and coordinating the local government. This time, we have every thing in place. As you see in the picture below, we are off Deerfield Beach, [picture taken by local media newspaper, the Observer.
This time I tried a different approach by working with the city instead of directing towards the county itself. After getting all the support from the city, we started coordinating with Ken Banks, the Coordinator from Broward County Artificial Reefs, and Carmen of Palm Beach County. The most important approach was getting the City of Deerfield Beach behind and supporting our idea, this way is a quicker response to the needs of our government representation. I, Pavan, believe the idea of this first shipwreck is just the start of a massive endeavor of achievements as persuasion to get more large ships to this area by increasing the number of artificial reefs off Deerfield. This attracts more divers and fisherman alike. This will help the local hotels, restaurants and small businesses in general by bringing more people to this area to enjoy the more attractions. As the city of Deerfield Beach did a study, where it shows it will stimulate the economy by increasing the figures of money spent in the Deerfield area with this study supporting us. I really believe, with support from the community, city volunteers and charitable donations we can turn some old, rusted ship bounded with the use of drug smugglers and bearing illegal drugs into a new habitat for marine life and help the local economy at the same time. History of Project ShipwreckMiss Lourdies ( Miracle of Life) June 29th, 2008- U.S Customs and Border Patrol seized a vessel with 154 kilos of cocaine aboard the 165-foot freighter named Miss Lourdies. The vessel was confiscated by U.S customs. US Customs and Border Patrol agents doing a random inspection Thursday (26 June) found more than 150 kilos of cocaine inside a freighter on the Miami River. Agents who randomly inspect ships docked at the Port of Miami and on the Miami River noticed an irregular noise when they tapped on the hull of the Haitian freighter near the 2200 block of Northwest South River Drive. When they broke through the wall, the agents found a steel compartment that was bolted shut and filled with 154 kilos of cocaine. "It's a significant find. We used to have a lot of activity like this on the river," Mann said. "It just goes to show you that we're still out here looking, and today was a very significant day in that we found a large quantity of cocaine and we've taken it off the streets." October 6th, 2008- Ken Banks contacted Pavan, owner of Dixie Divers, to let him know there is a possible vessel available in Miami. November 16th, 2008- Dan Fasano committed to help pay for the cost of cleaning the new shipwreck. December 2nd, 2008- Deerfield Beach city commissioners voted accepting the ship to make it an artificial reef of Deerfield Beach with no cost to the city. March 13th, 2009- Contract signed between stakeholders, Dixie Divers A. Pavan (financial provider), Chad Grecsek City of Deerfield Beach (government agency) and Bruce Sugar Bunnell Foundation, Inc. Environment Cleaning Contractor. March 20th, 2009- Vessel was transferred from U.S Customs to the City of Deerfield Beach and later to the Bunnell Foundation, Inc. Environmental Cleaning Contractor on port on Miami River. June 6th 2009- Miracle of Life Shipwreck was born surrounded by 80 private boats, 5 charter dive boats, 300 people watched and party from the Pier of Deerfield Beach. The day was perfect weather conditions. The miracle is sitting nice up right on 142 feet of water and top wheelhouse at 100 feet and the Angel statue at 110 feet. GPS marks Lat 26 19.162 Lon 80 03.198 Lat (Bow) Lat 26 19.180 Lon 80 03.195 (Stern). More info. about click here.
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MATT'S BARGE Lat 26 08.430 Lon 80 04.813 a barge sitting up side down on sand at 70 feet and has elevation about 10 feet. It has some holes where a trained diver can do some penetration. Around and wreck is sand bottom with a lot of tires m and debris from barge. Very good for spearfishing or a drift wreck dive. |
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Date sunk June 17 of 1991, hull of 46' Sportfish Mold at maximum depth of 81 feet. |
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Lat 26 14.11 Lon 80 03.807 Located 1 1/2 miles due east of Pompano Pier inside the Rodeo Artificial Reef site. The oceangoing 80 foot steel tug Mary St. Phillips Also known as MARINER II TUG is sitting upright on sand at 110 feet. She is on fair good shape with couple open on hull where fish congregate inside of the wreck. A supra duba scuba diver with some good navigation skills and breathing Nitrox will be able to drift to the Mariner II Barge caring a dive flag |
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Lat 26 14.0503 Lon 80 03.4790 A 130-foot Barge knowing as MARINER II BARGE, were deployed as artificial reef sites in May 1993. It is sitting at 110 feet is good condition with some light penetration. A large amount of baitfish usually congregate over this wreck attracting large sportfish and barracudas. |
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Lat 26 09.370 Lon 80 04.513 Location: Approximately 4 miles north of the Port Everglades Cut, in line with the outside edge of the third reef. The Mercedes, a 198-foot freighter, was beached during a storm on November 23, 1984. She came to rest near the ocean side pool of a Palm Beach socialite. The ship was sank in 90 feet of water. |
 It took over 3 months and a quarter million dollars to remove the vessel.. She was placed down on March 30, 1985, off Fort Lauderdale Beach, a half mile north of Sunrise Blvd. The Mercedes is part of a triangle of wrecks that are within a half mile of each other. The Mercedes is to the south, the Jay Scutti to the west, the rebel to the north and Jim Atria in the center. |
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Lat 26 09.6198N Lon 80 04.7438W Sitting at 68 - 70 feet on bottom. This 120 foot vessel lies upright orientated NNW/SSE. We do not have much information about the history of this wreck but I still looking for it. |
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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. |
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M/V CASTOR WRECK |
measures 258 feet long by 37 feet wide by 50 feet tall rising to within 60 feet of the surface. For safety reasons all hatches and doors have been removed making it of easy penetration. The main deck is at 90 feet and the maximum depth of 110 fee where it sits upright with the bow pointing south it is an excellent dive for shipwreck lovers. The M/V Castor was designed as a dry cargo carrier by the Dutch as a shelterdeck Coaster used for timbers. The ship was built in 1970 at the bodewes shipyard, Martenshoek, Netherlands. Upon its completion in 1970 originally called M/V Dorothee Bos, the ship was used for cargo and supplies until 1988. Under a new name of M/V Mer Star, the captain and the crew embarked from Spain to Mobile, Alabama and
remainedworking within the Caribbean waters for the last twelve years with several different names. In1999 the M/V Castor was seized by U.S. Customs agents after being stopped by the Coast Guard carrying 10,127 pounds of cocaine. The captain and crew were arrested and the ship seized. The ship sunk as part of Artificial Reef Program of Palm Beach County . The total project cost was $ 75.000 dollars, money that came from the Countys Vessel Registration Fee Trust Fund. Where does the name Castor come from? Many ships are named after stars and the constellation Gemini is widely regarded as the patron of mariners. The stars Castor and Pollux are the two brightest stars in Gemini and named from ancient Greek mythology. Castor and Pollux, were This shipwreck is well located because was sunk close of two others nice wrecks 
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Lat 26 18.110 Lon 80 03.790 Location: Almost a mile offshore inside the third reef line about 300 yards southeast of Ancient Mariner Wreck. Stern is almost over the third reef at deep maximum of 65 feet (19 Meters ) and I am guessing that this wreck is went down about four years ago. Some penetration to wreck is possible with proper training, some fishes on wreck like smalls Hog fish, jakes, barracudas and tropical fish but nothing spectacular. I just dove this wreck for the first time on October of 2002 after find out from looking the scanning done by Broward county, before that I never heard about this wreck. I Named Mystery Barge because I could not find any information about it. It looks like a working barge that we see inside of intercostals I estimate the size is 100 feet by 40 feet. Good dive to perform a combination of wreck and drift dive. If anybody has any information about this wreck please let me know i will be glade to post in this site. |
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Lat 26 19.290 Lon 80 03.459 Located one mile offshore. ENE of the Deerfield Pier on the Broward/Palm Bch County Line. A steel-hulled Danish freighter was built in 1939 as the Dana Land and sunk in July 12, 1988. She was 114 feet long, had a 23 foot beam and an eight foot draft and now sits in 74 feet of water. A little about her history: she was sold in 1954 and renamed Trelan then Kormad; after being seized by the federal government in a drug case, the vessel was purchased by a joint committee from the Palm Beach and Broward County reef programs; she was then sunk as an artificial reef. In August 1992 Hurricane Andrew tore the vessel into three pieces. Nowadays, the Noula sits upright and still has her bronze propeller mounted to her. Her main deck is at 65 feet and the pilot house is at 50 feet. Lies on the port side off the Noula's bow a little one man submarine, which was also used by drug dealers. |
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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. |
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The 95-foot long steel hulled sailboat Pride was sunk in November 21, 1987. PRIDE Only 100 feet way of Jay Scutti in Fort Lauderdale, is the 95 foot sailboat Pride and a 40 foot yacht, sits in 70 feet of water. This wreck is often called the Harbour Towne and is attached by a cable to the wreck of the Jay Scutti, so divers can explore both wrecks while using this cable for navigation. |
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This dive site has two old 32' pusher tugs and 3 more dredge pipe pontoons. The tug that you see at picture still visible and other tug is most of it body is almost buried completely . Just north of the Jay Dorman Artificial Reef. two 32-foot tugboats were sunk in December 1984 in 80 feet of water. Just 40 feet south of the tugs is the 85-foot schooner Alfa. Twenty feet NW from Tugs is a 50-foot Mathis Motor yacht sunk in 1986 in 82 feet of water. About 30 feet north are two dredge pontoons and a nearby hull of a 34-foot vessel. |
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The Pipe Pontoons is just west about 50 feet but almost buried on sand.  I took a picture of this different color Queen Angel fish just north aside of Qualmann Tug. This site has small wrecks but with a lot to see and lot of history. Also this site is very popular to sight Reef Sharks and Bull sharks, they do not do any warm to divers, usually they just swim away after check you out. Bellow this a short video made by Matt that is costumer that frequently dive with our boat Lady Go Diver. |
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The Rapa Nui Reef Project started as an idea to create a man-made that would be a one-of-a-kind public art spectacle. Benefactor Margaret Blume wanted to put large internationally recognizable objects off the coast of Deerfield Beach. Her son, a diver who had known of the sinking of the Miracle of Life, pointed her in the direction of Pavan. They got a team together that included Jim "Chiefy Mathie, the Deerfield Beach Womans Club, and Dennis MacDonald the artist commissioned to bring the reef to life. A model was created with the Rapa Nui (Polynesian term for Easter Island) theme. A 150 long and 45 wide by 9 high barge was to be used as a vessel to hold the sculptures. With the barge as a stage, 15 concrete Moai statues were built alongside piles of rubble and one "ceremonial platform with 3 statues sitting on top. The largest Moai reached an impressive 22 feet tall. With approval from the City of Deerfield Beach, the barge was scheduled to be scuttled on June 7th, 2015. It was towed from Stuart down to 2 Georges at the Cove Restaurant where it served as a backdrop for benefits for the Public Art initiative.
On Sunday, June 7th 2015 at 10:30 AM Rapa Nui Reef was towed east of the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier at GPS N 26 19.007 W 80 03.741. Thousands watched as she made her way to the sandy bottom. Unfortunately, things did not proceed as planned the barge listed heavily while at the surface and landed upside-down. It is oriented north-south in 68' of water with the top of the barge rising to about 55'. This wreck brought international attention to Deerfield Beach and is part of a movement to transform Deerfield into an international diving destination. It sparked local attention and support for public art and the benefits will help support future art projects for our community. WARNING: Do not penetrate or enter the barge - orientation of barge and exposed rebar is potentially unsafe.
Photos courtesy Grapek Photography
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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. The ship 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! |
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A 170-foot Freighter was sank in 268 feet of water on May,14 1989.
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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. |
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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. |
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Lat 26 09.193 Lon 80 04.837 Located at 300 yards due south of the Jay Scutti. Approximately one mile offshore. The 95-foot Coast Guard Cutter Cape Gull was sunk on December 1989 in 70 feet of water. A 118-foot motor yacht Our House III, built in 1947 and sunk in 1993, lies 100 feet south of the Robert Edmister. Lat 26 09.183 Lon 80 04.8205 Unfortunately, this vessel was severely damaged by the furious Andrew in August of the same year. |
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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. |
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Lat 26 19.460 Lon 80 03.689 Location: Approximately a mile and a half southeast of the Boca Inlet. A 171-foot barge rests upside down in 72 feet of water. The east side is littered with drainage pipes. Sea emperor off Hillsboro Beach, is the ultimate interactive wreck dive. Just to the East of the wreck lies a huge 1,600 ton pile of concrete piping that has attracted thousands of fish in the few short years since its sinking. These culverts were originally supposed to sit on top of the wreck. When the Sea Emperor sank, however, the barge flipped over, spilling all the concrete pieces onto the sand. Theses pieces provide homes to a multitude of crabs, shrimp and other critters, offering divers an opportunity to see some of the most diverse sea life in the area. It's not the wreck itself or the prolific small critters that attracts somany divers to the site, however. It's the wreck's larger inhabitants that provide the big trills. Currently, divers can expect to interact with as many as nine Southern Stingrays in the same manner as at world famous Stingray City in the Cayman Islands. Several dive operators offer a feeding interactive dive with Southern Stingrays, Green Moray Eels, Nurse sharks and Jewfish at the Sea Emperor wreck site. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Lat 26 27.70Lon 80 02.33 Location: 4-1/2 miles south of the Boynton Inlet. One nautical mile offshore. An old 70-foot treasure hunter named the Swordfish was sunk just west of the Budweiser Bar Wreck in 1992. The vessel sits in 80 feet of water. |
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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 milesof 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. |
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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. |
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 Extensive invertebrate growth covers a leg of the Tenneco Towers artificial reef after about 12 years in the water. Picture of 9/17/97. |
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Tracy was sunk in 98 in 70' feet of water and lies upright . It was attached to the scutti by a chain where with well planned dive is possible to see both wrecks. Ken Vitale was well known instructor that die of heart attack after one dive. On the wreck has a plaque honoring this well liked local diver. I like this wreck special for second dive for wreck dive class with penetration in the wreck, inside is dark and required light, excellent to working on buoyancy skills. |
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UNITED CARIBBEAN (GOLDEN VENTURE) |
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Lat 26 14.42 Lon 80 03.51 Location: 1 1/2 miles due east of the Pompano Pier on the outside edge of the third reef. About 1,000 feet north of the Rodeo 25. A 170-foot Dutch coastal freighter sits on her side broke in in two major pieces bow and stern in 110 feet of sand facing north. The vessel spent its short life in the northern seas; then later carried food in the Caribbean and down the South American coast. She was confiscated by the U.S. Customs from running drugs and later purchased to become an artificial reef. |
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Lat 26 08.266 Lon 80 04.833 Located about 1 1/4 miles due east of Sunrise Boulevard, on the seaward edge of the third reef. The yacht has become an artificial reef, and is in advanced stage of development. Snapper, barracuda, jacks and other mid-water sport fish are commonly sighted. |
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