Reef Dives: St Pete Beach Reef

This artificial reef is just over five miles out from the Pass-A-Grille Channel Entrance Marker #2 and is a favorite spot for fishermen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTOWEIr43_0

St Pete Beach Reef Tampa Wiki

[caption id="attachment_537" align="alignleft" width="300"] St Pete Beach Reef Tampa[/caption]

The reef was is about 300 feet in length and was started in 1976 when large concrete sections of the Old Corey Causeway and Skyway Bridge were sunk in about 30 feet of water.

In 1984 a 200-foot steel barge was scuttled 50 feet east of the reef's center.

The U.S. Army deployed 10 obsolete combat vehicles in 1995.

A yellow buoy marks the general location of the U.S. Army tanks. (via Divespots)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jop93vcbWdQ

The article Reef Dives: St Pete Beach Reef was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Reef Dives: South County Artificial Reef

This artificial reef site was developed in 2001-2003 and consists of tons of concrete rubble piles and a 100-year-old tug named Orange.

The site is well-marked with buoys and home to large amounts of fish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IvSYIlkHNo

South County Artificial Reef Tampa Wiki

The South County Artificial Reef Site lies 11 miles out from the Pass-A-Grille entrance marker and 10 miles from the St. John's Pass entrance marker.

[caption id="attachment_533" align="alignleft" width="300"] South County Artificial Reef Tampa[/caption]

South County is a quarter-mile square artificial reef area in which two reefs have been developed. The center of the square is marked by a yellow buoy.

The first reef developed, known as "Site One", consists of 700 tons of concrete debris, light poles, and bridge pilings that were placed in 45 feet of water in October 2001.

Site One has a round, white mooring buoy. The main concrete rubble pile is about 90 feet long, 25 feet wide and ranges from 15-17 feet high.

About 25 feet to the south are five smaller piles of rubble and 75 feet to the north are five more satellite piles. These smaller piles are about 10 feet in profile.

The second site developed in South County is the Tug Orange. This one-hundred-year old tug was sunk in 2003. The Orange is marked with a buoy attached to its bow.

Near the bottom of the rubble live grouper and black sea bass. Enormous schools of baitfish attract kingfish, jacks, Spanish mackerel and bonita to the tops of the piles. (courtesy Divespots)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymG0If9E8Dc

The article Reef Dives: South County Artificial Reef was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Wreck Dives: Sheridan

Cool Wreck to check out. Lots of stuff to see and take pics of.

The Sheridan is a tug that was sunk off the coast of Clearwater as part of Florida’s Artificial Reef Program. The Sheridan was not blown apart to be sunk, instead it was sunk by opening tru-hull fittings and allowing the water to flow in.

This non-destructive method of sinking the boat has kept this wreck in beautiful diving condition.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN8rQj66Xtw

Sheridan Wreck Clearwater Tampa Wiki

The Sheridan was a 180 foot long ocean tug boat that sank inside the Pinellas #2 Artificial Reef Site near Tampa and Clearwater.

[caption id="attachment_529" align="alignleft" width="300"] Sheridan Wreck Tampa[/caption]

The wreck lies fully upright, intact and lists slightly to starboard. She has many openings for entering the wreck which we only advise for experienced wreck divers.

Its deepest sections are at 75 feet of water while the top can be found at only forty feet below the surface. So, when diving at this dive site, you can see parts of the ship during your whole dive.

Many consider the Sheridan to be one of the best wreck dives in the Tampa/Clearwater area.

The Sheridan is home to several Goliath Grouper and barracuda and always has lots of marine life to observe. Spanish mackerel, amberjack, crevelle jack, trigger fish, snapper, and even the occasional shark frequent the reef site.

This is a great spot to take pictures of some large grouper.

Advanced wreck divers will enjoy exploring the open compartments. The tug lists about 50 degrees to starboard with its prop in place. The top of the wreck can be reached at 25-30 feet.

The wreck is surrounded by concrete culverts and tires. (courtesy Divebuddy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjtZuKdHyFw

The article Wreck Dives: Sheridan was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Wreck Dives: Gunsmoke

The Gunsmoke is an interesting wreck dive. The old shrimper sits in 80 feet of water about 20 miles offshore. She is listing to starboard and has collapsed at midship.

Shrimp nets are draped across the rigging.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDnkBzvpxrc

Gunsmoke Wreck Tampa Wiki

The Gunsmoke was an old shrimper that was being used to smuggle marijuana into Florida.

[caption id="attachment_524" align="alignleft" width="300"] Gunsmoke Wreck Tampa[/caption]

In 1977, the 65 foot Gunsmoke was scuttled by her crew. The Coast Guard found only a few floating bales of marijuana when they arrived at the scene.

One report tells of government divers finding a dead crew member, who was shot in the head, below deck.

We may never know exactly what happened aboard the Gunsmoke that day, but today this old shrimper, sitting in 80 feet of water off St. Pete, is one of the most spectacular wreck dives in the area.

She lies with a slight starboard list, 24 miles from John's Pass. (via Shipwreckexpo)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4dJKPW0lWs

 

The article Wreck Dives: Gunsmoke was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Wreck Dives: Blackthorn

Located in 80 feet of water, this 180 foot Coast Guard Tender lies about 20 miles offshore in the Pinellas Artificial Reef Site #2.

Broken into 2 large sections that lie upside down, this wreck attracts a large variety of marine life from Goliath Grouper to Whale Sharks.

Not recommended for penetration due to poor visibility from excessive silt, this is an intermediate/advanced dive site. (Adiscuba)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TEcGiSXlCQ

Blackthorn Wreck Tampa Wiki

USCGC Blackthorn (WLB-391) was a 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tender (WLB) which sank in 1980 in a collision near the Tampa Bay Sunshine Skyway Bridge, resulting in 23 crew member fatalities.

An Iris-class vessel, she was built by Marine Ironworks and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth, Minnesota.

[caption id="attachment_517" align="alignleft" width="267"] courtesy of Wikipedia[/caption]

Blackthorn's preliminary design was completed by the United States Lighthouse Service and the final design was produced by Marine Iron and Shipbuilding Corporation in Duluth.

On 21 May 1943 the keel was laid, she was launched on 20 July 1943 and commissioned on 27 March 1944. The original cost for the hull and machinery was $876,403.

Blackthorn was one of 39 original 180-foot (55 m) seagoing buoy tenders built between 1942-1944. All but one of the original tenders, USCGC Ironwood (WLB-297), were built in Duluth.

The Accident: Blackthorn was outward bound from Tampa Bay on the night of 28 January 1980. Meanwhile, the tanker Capricorn, owned by Kingston Shipping Company and operated by Apex Marine Corporation of New York, was standing (traveling with right-of-way) into the bay.

Damage to the Blackthorn from the initial impact was not extensive. However, Capricorn's anchor was ready to be let go. The anchor became embedded in the Blackthorn's hull and ripped open the port side above the water line.

Then as the two ships backed away from each other, the chain became taut. The force of the much larger ship pulling on it, caused Blackthorn to tip on her side until she suddenly capsized.

Six off-duty personnel who had mustered when they heard the collision alarm were trapped inside the ship. Several crew members who had just reported aboard tried to escape and in the process trapped themselves in the engine room. Although 27 crewmen survived the collision, 23 perished. (courtesy Wikipedia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxmy5EX3jgA

The article Wreck Dives: Blackthorn was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Reef Dives: Horseshoe Reef

Great site with three horseshoe shaped re-entrants to the reef. Grouper, snapper, large moray eels, trumpet fish, & spotted drums have been seen here.

Large numbers of small barracuda are common. The eastern side of the ledge has great ledges as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wSARtF4YDM

Horseshoe Reef West Palm Beach Wiki

Located in 40-60 feet of water, 10 miles south of the Palm Beach Inlet, 1 mile NE of the Lake Worth Pier, this

[caption id="attachment_514" align="alignleft" width="300"] Horseshoe Reef West Palm Beach[/caption]

natural reef system features a wall drop-off as well as some caves, undercuts, ledges and holes that attract marine life.

The top of this reef is covered in soft sponges, corals and gorgonians.

Frequently visited by by Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles during summer months, schools of baitfish and other marine life make the area their home. (Adiscuba)

Horseshoe Reef is a ledge system popular with drift divers.

This is a great reef system. If you have good air consumption and if the current Gods are with you, the trip from the beginning of the reef to the Horseshoe can be made with time to play inside the horseshoe, located at the North end of the reef. (Divebuddy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rt0_wEoEtw

The article Reef Dives: Horseshoe Reef was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Wreck Dives: Gilbert Sea

Gilbert Sea MV was a former drug smuggling vessel which was seized when docked in the Miami River. The vessel was donated to the Palm Beach County Artificial Reef Program.

Deployed in February 2002.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaXcnvjksE8

Gilbert Sea Wreck West Palm Beach Wiki

[caption id="attachment_510" align="alignleft" width="300"] Gilbert Sea Wreck West Palm Beach[/caption]

Located in 90 feet of water 1.5 miles from the Palm Beach Inlet, this intermediate/advanced dive site is the wreck of the Gilbert Sea.

Its wheelhouse is covered in painted murals and is becoming known for its tropical and game fish.

This boat is part of the Governor's River Walk reef project.

Governor’s River Walk Reef is approximately 1½ miles south of the Lake Worth Inlet in about 90 ft. of water. It is due east of the natural reef, South Double Ledges.

There are 4 ships that make up Governor's River Walk, the Gilbert Sea, ShaSha Boekanier, St. Jacques, and Thozina. (Adiscuba)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wDlCOhk2ag

The article Wreck Dives: Gilbert Sea was first published on Florida Scuba Diving