Wreck Dives: USS Curb

Sitting off Key West FL, this artificial reef is located at 180 feet in an upright position with her main decks falling between 130 and 160 feet depth.

This ship has no moorings or buoys so anchoring on her with a grappling hook is best. You'll also need to consider the current as well, so use the USS Curb GPS coordinates provided below to help locate this Key West diving site. (Read more ...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odAH8iQMIzo

USS Curb Key West Wiki

USS Curb (ARS-21) was an Diver-class rescue and salvage ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy during World War II. Her task was to come to the aid of stricken vessels.

[caption id="attachment_245" align="alignleft" width="300"] USS Curb Key West[/caption]

Curb (ARS-21) was launched 24 April 1943 by Basalt Rock Company in Napa, California; sponsored by Mrs. H. Peterson; and commissioned 12 May 1944, Lieutenant C. Peterson, USNR, in command.

Curb was decommissioned 20 December 1946 and loaned to a private salvage firm 10 May 1947 and was returned for lay up in the Reserve Fleet (date unknown).

On 30 April 1981, she was struck from the Naval Register.

Final Disposition: scrapped, 23 February 1982, her hulk sunk as an artificial reef off Key West, Florida, 23 November 1983. (Wikipedia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNTP8HmTaGo

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

Wreck Dives: Joe’s Tug

By the sound of her name, you would think "Joe’s Tug" was actually a tugboat. In fact, she is an old steel hulled shrimper originally destined as an artifical reef off the coast of Miami.

Originally, this 75-foot tug sank at the pier in Key West in 1986. It was raised and cleaned in preparation for her planned sinking as an artificial reef in Miami. However, late on the night before it was scheduled to be towed north, a group of locals surreptitiously towed the boat out of Key West harbor.

The vessel sank en-route to wherever they were headed, landing on the reef in about 65 feet of water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTK_v4OloI4

Joe's Tug Key West Wiki

Joe's Tug is a tugboat that was sunk as an artificial reef on January 21, 1989. The tug had been stripped and filled with steel I beams prior to her sinking. Billy Deans reported originally that she sits upright and intact in 60 feet of water and is approximately 65 feet long.

[caption id="attachment_240" align="alignleft" width="300"] Joe,s Tug Key West[/caption]

However, Joe’s Tug now sits in about 65 feet of water in the sand, no longer intact. In 1998, Hurricane Georges picked up the wreck and tore her in half. The bow and stern now lie about 30 feet apart, and the wheelhouse has largely disintegrated over the years. The hull is easily accessible and is usually filled with schooling fish. She sits up right on the ocean floor surrounded by soft and hard coral formations and large sponges. This wreck is home to some very friendly moray eels and inquisitive fish.

This wreck, which is located inshore from the Cayman Salvage Master, is also called Joe's Wreck or Tim's Tug and is said to be excellent for wide angle photography.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRZPjHKsG0E

The article Wreck Dives: Joe’s Tug was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Wreck Dives: The Cayman Salvager

The Cayman Salvager is considered one of the most dramatic shipwrecks in the Florida Keys.

The wreck of the 187-foot steel-hulled buoy tender is located one mile southwest of the Nine Foot Stake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8eHJHGtbk8

The Cayman Salvager Wiki

She was constructed in Wilmington, DE in 1937 to be a cable layer, but she was converted into a minelayer for the U.S. Army.

[caption id="attachment_234" align="alignleft" width="300"] Cayman Salvager Key West[/caption]

She served a number of other roles before sinking; in her various lifetimes, she was a Coast Guard Buoy Tender, a Navy VIP ship, a freighter, a drug runner, and a research ship.

During the Muriel Boat Lift of 1980, she ferried 5000 Cubans to Key West. When she was seized in the Key West Harbor, she sank at the dock.

Five years later the vessel was refloated; while she was being towed to see, the line snapped. The Cayman Salvager sank into the depths, landing on her port side.

Originally she lay at the east end of the Ships Channel, but when Hurricane Kate rolled through, she was propped upright and moved to her current position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX55Cd5uaGQ

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

Wreck Dives: Alexander’s Wreck

The wreck known as "Alexander’s Wreck" was originally the US Navy destroyer escort "USS Amesbury." The remains of this steel-hull US Naval vessel now lie in 25 feet of water five miles west of Key West.

This vessel was a decommissioned U.S. Navy ship being towed by Chet Alexander Marine Salvage of Key West to a deep water location to be sunk as an artificial reef.

While in route, she grounded, and before she could be re-floated, a storm broke up her hull. (via Divebuddy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cu8qrAsneeI

Alexander's Wreck - USS Amesbury Key West Wiki

USS Amesbury (DE-66/APD-46), a Buckley-class destroyer escort of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Lieutenant (jg) Stanton Morgan Amesbury (1916–1942), who was killed in action while flying from the aircraft carrier Ranger (CV-4) during Operation Torch in 1942.

[caption id="attachment_229" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of Wikipedia[/caption]

Amesbury was laid down on 8 March 1943 at Hingham, Massachusetts, by the Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard; launched on 6 June 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Janet Kenney Amesbury, the widow of Lieutenant (jg.) Amesbury; and commissioned on 31 August 1943, with Lieutenant commander Allen B. Adams, Jr., in command.

At Londonderry on 1 June 1944, Amesbury reported for duty with TF 124, TG 124.7 and, two days later, sailed to take part in the invasion of Normandy.

Arriving in the assault area on 6 June, she took up her assigned area on a screen and fire support station in the "Mason Dixie" grid.

During the next week on station, Amesbury took part in several anti-aircraft actions against attacking German planes bedeviling the ships offshore.

Decommissioned and placed in reserve on 3 July 1946, Amesbury never again performed active service.

Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1960, Amesbury was sold to Chet Alexander Marine Salvage of Key West, Florida, on 24 October 1962.

Her hulk sank approximately 5 nautical miles (5.75 miles; 9 km) west of Key West while under tow, and now rests in 25 feet (7.6 m) of water. (Full article at Wikipedia)

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

The article Wreck Dives: Alexander’s Wreck was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Reef Dives: Turtle Reef

Turtle Reef, also know as Turtle Rocks, is on the very northern edge of the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. Most reef species are represented here, including Eagle Rays, plenty of Nurse Sharks, and an occasional moray.

This site is relatively shallow, with its visibility usually good as its location protects it from the strong currents lying beyond. It is located off-shore from the Ocean Reef area of Key Largo.

There are four mooring buoys marking the length of the reef. This is a wonderful spot to visit as it gets few divers due to it’s northern location. Lots of rocky caves and archways. (Read more at Divebuddy)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG-N0cNOtD0

Turtle Reef Key Largo Wiki

[caption id="attachment_225" align="alignleft" width="300"] Turtle Reef Key Largo[/caption]

Turtle Reef (or Turtle Rocks) is a coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

It lies to the east of Key Largo, within the Key Largo Existing Management Area, which is immediately to the east of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Unlike many reefs within the National Marine Sanctuary, this reef is not within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).

The reef is north of Carysfort Reef. (Via Wikipedia)

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

Reef Dives: Snapper Ledge

Snapper Ledge is a shallow reef in 25 feet of water off of Key Largo. Because of the countless Yellowtail Snapper (hence the name) found at the site, this ledge is a local favorite and a highly recommended dive spot.

Often, the schools of fish are so thick that you cannot see through them. You can usually count on seeing a few nurse sharks along with green and spotted Moray Eels.(via Divespots)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Qs7Kcp7Mc

Snapper Ledge Key Largo Wiki

[caption id="attachment_221" align="alignleft" width="300"] Snapper Reef Key Largo[/caption]

Snapper Ledge is a small coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It lies to the southeast of Key Largo, to the south the Key Largo Existing Management Area and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Unlike many reefs within the Sanctuary, this reef is not within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA). It is near Pickles Reef. Since 2009, the Coral Restoration Foundation has used Snapper Ledge as a nursery site to grow Elkhorn Coral.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uNGxIwC0PA

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

Reef Dives: Pickles Reef

Pickles Reef is a large, shallow reef area where divers and snorkelers can view well-formed corals. The name comes from cement-filled pickle barrels sunk here during the Civil War.

These barrels are now covered with the largest pillar corals in the Keys. Numerous ledges and crevasses attract juvenile and tropical fish of many species. Look for purple sea fans, conchs, and the occasional lobster too.

Pickles is close to Molasses Reef, and the wrecks USCG Duane and USCG Bibb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU3iE1uJang

Pickles Reef Key Largo Wiki

[caption id="attachment_218" align="alignleft" width="300"] Pickles Reef Key Largo[/caption]

Pickles Reef is a small coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

It lies to the southeast of Key Largo, to the south the Key Largo Existing Management Area and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Unlike many reefs within the Sanctuary, this reef is not within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).

The reef gets its name from the Pickle Barrel wreck.

Another small reef called Snapper Ledge is nearby. (Wikipedia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD8j86I1tWs

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

Reef Dives: North Dry Rocks

North Dry Rocks is better known as Minnow Cave as that is the main reason divers will dive at this dive site. It is an area of limestone ledges reaching the surface and creating great valleys in between with many fish and coral.

Minnow Cave is one of the top coral caves in Florida marked by several yellow Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) buoys and three N-lettered mooring buoys, located in the center of the reef.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69kiqloYCQE

Dry Rocks/Minnow Cave Wiki

Dry Rocks (or Key Largo Dry Rocks) is a coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It lies to the east of Key Largo, within the Key Largo Existing Management Area, which is immediately to the east of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The reef lies within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA).

It is close to Grecian Rocks and The Elbow. A copy of the famous Christ of the Abyss statue is located at this reef.

This reef is distinct from White Banks Dry Rocks, which is landward of Molasses Reef and French Reef. (Wikipedia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0dQmz1Gif8

The article Reef Dives: North Dry Rocks was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Wreck Dives: Mike’s Wreck

One of the ships that sank on Elbow Reef is a 315’ steel-hulled ship that is called Mike’s Wreck. There are two larger sections of the bow and stern which appear grown into the reef. Other smaller pieces are scattered around a large area.

Many people once thought the wreck debris was the Civil War era ship, the Towanda, or possibly parts of another wreck simply known as the Civil War wreck. via Divebuddy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c9lp2cMiis

Mike's Wreck - Hannah M. Bell

[caption id="attachment_202" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of noaa.gov[/caption]

NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has identified the remains of an early 20th century shipwreck in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to be those of the British steamship Hannah M. Bell.

Information gathered by sanctuary staff and volunteers from the National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) during a September 2012 field survey enabled maritime archaeologists to confirm the wreck's origins. Read more ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fscNdKAWy9E

The article Wreck Dives: Mike’s Wreck was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Reef Dives: Grecian Rocks

Grecian Rocks is a shallow area that is one of the best Florida Keys snorkeling spots off Key Largo. The inside of the reef is also very protected from the wind and the seaward side.

This makes it's safer and easier for exploring the sharp coral crevices. It's also easy access from the boat to the reef, and this is another reason why this Key Largo diving site is highly favored by those who are planning a Florida Keys snorkeling trip. via Florida Keys Vacation

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

Grecian Rocks Key Largo Wiki

Grecian Rocks is a coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It lies to the east of Key Largo, within the Key Largo Existing Management Area, which is immediately to the east of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

This reef is within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA). Grecian Rocks are south of Dry Rocks, a smaller reef. (Wikipedia)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJqyY48Q51Q

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

Dive Reefs: French Reef

French Reef is a coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It lies 11 km southeast of Key Largo, within the Key Largo Existing Management Area, which is immediately to the east of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. French Reef is northeast of Molasses Reef.

Part of the reef lies within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA), which is 37 ha in area. A number of caves and arches in a spur and groove formation are included in the SPA. (Wiki)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53XnjK7gycc

French Reef is one of the most spectacular reef areas in the Keys. There are dozens of ledges, tunnels, and caves; most large enough to swim through. You may want to bring a light for the caves and tunnels.

The Hourglass Cave is located 50 feet inshore from buoy F1 and the Christmas Tree Cave is located 50 feet inshore of buoy F3. Each cave offers a chance to uncover hidden sea life.

While buoy F5 marks a sandbank with coral ridges around, F6 marks a swim-through and inshore of F7 is a ledge near and old anchor. Located in the center of French Reef is the "White Sand Bottom Cave" which is the largest cave in the area. Read more at Divebuddy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPeUdx6jDCA

The article Dive Reefs: French Reef was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Reef Dives: Elbow Reef

The Elbow (or Elbow Reef) is a coral reef located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. It lies to the east of Key Largo, within the Key Largo Existing Management Area, which is immediately to the east of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

This reef is within a Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA). The Elbow is southwest Carysfort and east of Dry Rocks reefs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkB7jxJ5ZfU

Elbow Reef is a popular dive spot because of its beautiful reefs that have grown around some very old shipwrecks. The Gulf Stream passes closer to Elbow than many other Key Largo reefs which means in exchange for a bit of current, the water on Elbow is usually a very clear blue to the sandy bottom.

The area is sometimes called "wreck reef" because of the many ship remnants that have been found at this spot.

Elbow is marked by a 36-foot light tower. There are many coral fingers in this spur-and-groove formation. There are also ledges for exploration which shelter large amounts of marine life.

The deepest portion of the reef is the southern section which is marked by a buoy. Here the bottom slopes toward a ledge known as "Nelson’s Ledge". At the ledge the bottom drops more steeply to sandy bottom. Giant barrel sponges, brain and star corals cover the bottom. via Divebuddy.com ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVT7rKN3ywM

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

Wreck Dives: City of Washington

One of the most popular wreck spots on Elbow Reef is the City of Washington. This schooner turned steamship was built in 1877 with two masts and a small engine.

She had three decks, a length of 320 feet, and a 38-foot beam. City of Washington transported both passengers and freight between New York, Cuba, Panama and Mexico.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEfPkP-BvQg

City of Washington Wreck - Elbow Reef Wiki

On the night of February 15, 1898, City of Washington was moored in Havana harbor near the USS Maine when Maine exploded in the incident that precipitated the Spanish–American War.

City of Washington suffered minor damage in the explosion, but assisted in the rescue of Maine's crew by sending out lifeboats and providing her dining salon for use as a makeshift hospital. The efforts of City of Washington and the Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII resulted in the rescue of approximately 100 crew members from Maine.

[caption id="attachment_185" align="alignleft" width="305"] courtesy of Wikipedia[/caption]

Captain Frank Stevens and other crew members of City of Washington provided eyewitness testimony on the Maine disaster in Naval Court of Inquiry hearings which ended on March 21, 1898. The Court of Inquiry concluded that Maine was destroyed by the explosion of a submarine mine.

While the Court did not place responsibility for the explosion, media and popular opinion overwhelmingly attributed it to Spain's forces in Cuba. Shortly thereafter, Congress declared a state of War with Spain, effective April 20, 1898.

In April 1898, City of Washington was one of many civilian steamships chartered by the US Army Quartermaster Department for use as a transport ship for the invasion of Cuba. She was chartered as Transport #16 at the rate of USD $450 per day through September 1898.

On July 10, 1917, City of Washington and another barge, Seneca, were under tow by the tugboat Luckenbach 4 when all three vessels ran aground on a shallow reef near Key Largo in the Florida Keys.

The other two vessels were refloated on July 15, but City of Washington broke up immediately and was not recoverable. Now a popular dive site, the City of Washington wreck has been designated part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's Shipwreck Trail. Full details on Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QRBUz691YM

 

The article Wreck Dives: City of Washington was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Reef Dives: Carysfort Lighthouse

The Carysfort Lighthouse marks the main body of the four mile long Carysfort Reef system. The lighthouse is the oldest functioning lighthouse of its type in the United States. It's an impressive 112 foot tall structure constructed in 1852.

This is what Carysfort Lighthouse and the surrounding reef looks like from the air ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndqaLIpr0VE

Carysfort Lighthouse Wiki

Carysfort Reef Light is located approximately six nautical miles east of Key Largo, Florida. The lighthouse has an iron screw-pile foundation with a platform, and a skeletal, octagonal, pyramidal tower, which is painted red. The light is 100 feet (30 m) above the water.

It is the oldest functioning lighthouse of its type in the United States, completed in 1852. Carysfort Reef is named for HMS Carysfort (1766), a 20-gun Royal Navy post ship that ran aground on the reef in 1770. The light is currently a xenon flashtube beacon.

[caption id="attachment_182" align="alignleft" width="260"] courtesy of Wikipedia[/caption]

HMS Carysfort was a 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She served during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars in a career that spanned over forty years.

She had a number of notable commanders during this period, and saw action in several single-ship actions against French and American opponents.

She took several privateers during the American War of Independence, though one of her most notable actions was the recapture of Castor, a Royal Navy frigate that a French squadron had captured nearly three weeks earlier and a French prize crew was sailing to France.

Carysfort engaged and forced the surrender of her larger opponent, restoring Castor to the British, though not without a controversy over the issue of prize money. Full details on Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3q0SwyFqg0

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

Wreck Dives: Benwood Wreck

One of the most popular shallow wreck dive sites in the Florida Keys, the Benwood Wreck off Key Largo is known by scuba divers for it’s upright bow facing seaward and it’s abundant marine life.

The Benwood is accessible to all levels of scuba divers due to it’s shallow location, sitting in between 25 and 50 feet of water just on the reef line off Key Largo.

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

Benwood Wreck Key Largo Wiki

On April 10, 1942, the crew of the salvage tug Willet examined the wreck and determined that the keel of the Benwood was broken, and she was a total loss.

However, her superstructure and cargo of phosphate rock appear to have been salvaged. Her stern section, once considered a hazard to navigation, seems to have been mostly obliterated by explosions of an unknown type.

[caption id="attachment_175" align="alignleft" width="300"] Benwood Wreck Key Largo[/caption]

This salvaging on the ship over the years prompted John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to form a protection program in 1959 to prevent further damage to the historical wreckage.

Today, the Benwood is a protected resource under the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which was formed in 1975.

Since then, the Benwood site has played host to countless recreational dives, as it is an extremely popular night dive site. Since her sinking, the Benwood has become an artificial reef, providing the only high-profile reef in the immediate vicinity.

She lies in 55 feet of sea water with hull plates found in the sand around the perimeter. Read more ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0cp9FLwKqU

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

Unusual Dive Sites: Christ Of The Abyss

The approximate nine foot bronze sculpture symbolizes peace of mankind from its unusual setting - beneath the ocean at Key Largo Dry Rocks off John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Professor Guido Galletti cast the original from the inspiration of Italian swimmer/diver Duilo Merchant who wanted a symbol to inspire all who explored and loved the sea in 1954. In 1961, the second casting from the original Galletti mold was placed in St. George's Harbor in Grenada to commemorate those saved from the Italian ship Bianca C. which caught fire and sank in the harbor.

The third casting was commissioned by Italian dive equipment manufacturer, Egidio Cressi, and donated to The Underwater Society of America.

Wiki About Christ Of The Abyss

[caption id="attachment_169" align="alignleft" width="304"] Christ of the Abyss Key Largo[/caption]

Christ of the Abyss (Italian: Il Cristo degli Abissi) is a submerged bronze statue of Jesus Christ, the original of which is located in the Mediterranean Sea, off San Fruttuoso, between Camogli and Portofino on the Italian Riviera.

Various other casts of the statue are located in other places worldwide, both underwater and in churches and museums.

A third bronze statue, from the original mold, was presented to the Underwater Society of America in New York in 1962. On August 25, 1965, it was placed approximately in 25 feet of water off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, near Dry Rocks, approximately six miles east of Key Largo in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The statue weighs around 260 kg, and the concrete base to which it is attached weighs approximately 9 tons. Full Wiki article

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76SW46KsmGI

The article Unusual Dive Sites: Christ Of The Abyss was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Reef Dives: Molasses Reef

Easily accessible, Molasses Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area is the most heavily visited reef in the Upper Keys – perhaps the world – for diving. Molasses is famous for its clear water, many fish, and numerous boulder corals. It is a classic outer reef with a well-defined spur and groove system of coral development.

At the central portion of Molasses, offshore of the light, are a large ship's winch and historic Spanish anchor.

Molasses Reef is located within the boundaries of the Key Largo Existing Management Area, formerly Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V76-ESpEOZE

On August 4, 1984, the motor vessel Wellwood, a 122-meter freighter carrying pelletized chicken feed, ran aground on Molasses Reef. The total destruction from the grounding included 5,805 square meters of living corals and injury to 75,000 square meters of reef habitat.

The vessel was removed by the US Coast Guard. NOAA coordinated an effort to restore damage to the reef, by placing reef modules in the injured areas to provide a substrate for new coral colonization.

Biological restoration took place using transplants from Pickles Reef and the facilitation of coral larval settlement.

NOAA settled a claim worth $6.275 million with the responsible parties, the Wellwood Shipping Company (owner of the vessel) and the Hanseatic Shipping Company (shipping management company), in 1986, and all payments to NOAA were completed by 2001.

Molasses Reef is popular scuba diving and snorkeling location with numerous dive sites marked by mooring buoys.

One notable site is at buoy #7 and is variously referred to as the Winch Hole, Windlass Wreck, or The Winch. Further reading at Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xotbcpp6cuA

 

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

Wreck Dives: USCG Bibb

In 1987, the Bibb and another cutter, the Duane, were stripped and prepared for sinking. The doors above the main deck were removed, but the hull was sealed. The Bibb rests on her starboard side in 130 feet of water. The port railing can be reached at 95 feet. Penetration is not recommend as there are many possible entanglements and obstructions, and often extremely stong currents.

The Bibb is close enough to the Gulfstream to have incredible visibiility and some very large marine life. Sharks and Goliath Grouper are routinely spotted here, as are hordes of smaller fishes and barracudas.

For the advanced wreck diver, the Bibb is a dive not to be missed!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5JIebcOW90

Bibb saw service in World War II. The ship fought in the Battle of the Atlantic serving as a convoy escort. In February 1943, the convoy came under attack and the SS Henry R. Mallory was torpedoed. Capt. Raney ignored the order to leave the survivors and went back and rescued 202 men from the icy waters.

[caption id="attachment_158" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of Wikipedia[/caption]

In 1944 Bibb provided convoy escort between the United States and North Africa — mainly to Bizerte in Tunisia.

In January 1945 Bibb left Charleston, South Carolina for service in the Pacific theater where, as an AGC, she served temporarily as the flagship for Commander, Minecraft, Pacific Fleet.

Bibb is credited with destroying one Japanese kamikaze aircraft in action at Karema Retto.

In peacetime the Bibb spent time on ocean station providing weather information and beacons to trans-Atlantic traffic. While on ocean station, the Bibb came to the rescue of the airliner, the Bermuda Sky Queen.

In the Vietnam War, the Bibb transported John Kerry after he was shot on his Swift boat. Further reading at Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ1czDPdpv8

 

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

Wreck Dives: USCG Duane

Many consider the Duane to be the perfect wreck dive. Before sinking, the ship's hatches were opened and the holds pumped full of water to sink the ship. The Duane sits upright on the sandy bottom at 120 feet offering nearly 70 feet of relief. On clear days the outline of the hull can be seen from far above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApTt0lLzpc8

Duane left Coast Guard service and was decommissioned on August 1, 1985 as the oldest active U.S. military vessel and was laid up in Boston for the next two years.

[caption id="attachment_154" align="alignleft" width="289"] courtesy of Wikipedia[/caption]

Duane is now a historic shipwreck near Key Largo, Florida, United States. The cutter was deliberately sunk on November 27, 1987 to create an artificial reef.

It is located a mile south of Molasses Reef. On May 16, 2002, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The USCGC Duane (WPG-33/WAGC-6/WHEC-33) (earlier known as the USCGC William J. Duane) was a cutter in the United States Coast Guard. Her keel was laid on May 1, 1935 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was launched on June 3, 1936 as a search and rescue and law enforcement vessel.

The "Treasury" class Coast Guard cutters (sometimes referred to as the "Secretary" or 327-foot class) were all named for former Secretaries of the Treasury Department. The cutter Duane was named for William John Duane, who served as the third Secretary of the Treasury to serve under President Andrew Jackson.

Read more at Wikipedia

 

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

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

Wreck Dives: Spiegel Grove

The 510-foot Spiegel Grove off Key Largo is arguably the most popular wreck in the Florida Keys. At the time of its sinking in 2002, the Spiegel Grove was the largest ship intentionally sunk as a coral reef for divers. This retired Navy vessel, is home to some 160 species of marine life.

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

Sinking Of The Spiegel Grove

Red tape and financial problems delayed the sinking of USS Spiegel Grove for several years, but the ship was finally moved from Virginia to Florida in May 2002. The total preparation and reefing cost was $1 million. The ship sank prematurely on 17 May 2002. During the planned sinking, volunteer work crews dropped her 12-ton anchors and flooded her ballast tanks with water.

But the ex-Spiegel Grove settled too soon and suddenly started rolling to her starboard side, forcing workers to abandon ship - and their equipment. She sank several hours ahead of schedule, ending up upside-down on the sea bottom and leaving her bow protruding slightly out of the ocean and her stern resting on the ocean floor.

[caption id="attachment_148" align="alignleft" width="250"] courtesy of Wikipedia[/caption]

On 10–11 June 2002, at an additional cost of 250,000 dollars, the ship was rolled onto her starboard side by Resolve Marine Group which pumped air into the port side hull tanks to displace at least 2,000 tons of water, used air bags with 350-400 tons of buoyancy, and two tugboats.

On 26 June 2002 the wreck was finally opened to recreational divers. In the next week, over a thousand divers visited the site. There were 50,000 dives a year done on the ship during just the first two years.

The ex-Spiegel Grove is located on Dixie Shoal, 6 miles (10 km) off the Florida Keys in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Her exact location is 25°04′00.2″N 80°18′00.7″WCoordinates: 25°04′00.2″N 80°18′00.7″W. For a scuba diver, this ship is a whopping 510 feet long and 84 feet wide; it is said you can dive this wreck 100 times and still never see the entire thing.

Her top deck is about 60 feet below the water's surface. The vessel's hull, which is a labyrinth inside, is as much as 135 feet under water, and silt can get kicked up and reduce visibility inside to almost zero, which can cause disorientation. The depth of the wreck requires that divers have an advanced diving certification.

In July 2005, Hurricane Dennis shifted the former USS Spiegel Grove onto her keel, right-side-up, which was the position originally intended when she was sunk. Full article on Wikipeda

A Dive To The USS Spiegel Grove - Capt. John Garvey of HMS Minnow Dive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIZmkmZE7ak

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

Turtles In The News: Sea Turtles Need Your Help

As lovers of turtles we ask you to give your support via Oceana. Please give your support to this great cause ...

Sea turtles are in danger and NEED your help. Sign your name now to support the proposed TEDs rule.

Thousands of endangered and threatened sea turtles drown in shrimp trawl nets in the Southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico each year.

But by using Turtle Excluder Devices, or TEDs, in all trawl nets we can save these sea turtles. TEDs have been shown to be 97 percent effective!

The federal government recently proposed a rule requiring life-saving TEDs in U.S. skimmer, pusher-head and wing net shrimp trawls. But that rule won’t become final – and sea turtles will keep dying – unless we speak up now.

  Oceana on Twitter: "Sea turtles are in danger and NEED your help. Sign your name now to support the proposed TEDs rule. https://t.co/AlDPMtwWuV https://t.co/Q2mVF6JqS7"

Baby Sea Turtles Hatching In Jupiter, Florida

This is why it is so important you give your support above. How could anyone allow these fabulous creatures to be harmed ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TG_4dqKeos

 

The article Turtles In The News: Sea Turtles Need Your Help was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Turtles In The News: 7 Facts About Green Turtles

One of the first most incredible sights I saw was a turtle swimming just 3 metres in front of me and from then on I was hooked on scuba diving. In this article we take a look at green turtles and 7 facts you might like to know ...

Green sea turtles face a number of dangers — boat propeller accidents, drowning in fishnets, and the destruction of their nesting grounds — that have led to their listing as an endangered species.

Beloved by scuba divers, green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are both alike and different from other sea turtle species. read more at scubadiving.com

Green Sea Turtle On Barefoot Reef, Pompano Beach, Florida

There are few sights more heart warming than watching a turtle swim. Here we see a green turtle caught on film at Barefoot Reef, one of the popular reefs to dive from Pompano Beach, Florida ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77bXfdUpjXo

The article Turtles In The News: 7 Facts About Green Turtles was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Fish In The News: When it comes to predators, size matters

We're blessed with a huge variety of all things marine so it's great to see what is out there and what these different marine species are up to. In this article we take a look at the California sheephead ...

Marine reserves play an important role in sustaining ecosystem diversity and abundance. Their presence enables certain species to return to a natural size structure, which enables predators to control destructive prey.

A case in point is the California sheephead. The colorful fish inhabit kelp forests ranging from Monterey Bay to the Gulf of California in Mexico. Scientists have known for some time that these sex-changing wrasses are a critical part of the kelp forest ecosystem. sciencedaily.com

California Sheephead Feeding

The one thing I love about scuba diving is someone is usually filming so when you come across fish such as the California sheephead  it's an opportunity to share with the world ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgoDLh7iF4A

The article Fish In The News: When it comes to predators, size matters was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Nurse sharks enjoy living a lazy lifestyle

During shark week there have been some great posts put out there but here is one I thought was put together really well and gives you a great insight into the world of sharks ...

If sharks went to high school, we have a pretty good idea what each would be known for. In every class, there’s always an epic gossip, a great athlete, or in the thresher shark’s case, a champion chef really able to “whip” up a meal with its tail.

This Shark Week, let’s recognize sharks for being more than just mindless eaters. Sharks have accomplished some impressive feats below the waves, and it’s about time we give credit where it’s due.

Nurse sharks enjoy living a lazy lifestyle ... read more at twitter.com

Nurse Sharks In Islamorada, Florida

Of course Florida is well known for sharks although it is usually the infamous shark attacks that get the most publicity. Here is a video of nurse shark feeding on a lobster trap ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-bR2DKVR2Y

The article Nurse sharks enjoy living a lazy lifestyle was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Heart-stopping footage shows a diver attacked by a killer bull shark on the Great Barrier Reef

We all hear about shark attacks but what about those rare pieces of footage of unprovoked attacks?

This report is about a bull shark attack that took place off the coast of North Queensland. Watch the incredible video of the attack below ...

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of dailymail.co.uk[/caption]

This is the moment diver Kerry Daniel, 35, was almost eaten by a bull shark after the predator charged at him while in the water off the coast of North Queensland

At the last moment the diver jams his spear into the shark's mouth, leaving the predator writhing in agony just metres from him

But as the video shows, a moment more of hesitation and the roles could have easily been reversed. Heart-stopping footage shows a diver attacked by a killer bull shark on the Great Barrier Reef

Incredible Footage As The Bull Shark Attacks

The pictures above are intimidating enough but they are nothing compared to the actual footage shot as the attack took place ... lucky, lucky boy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnA5DT3ilQw

The article Heart-stopping footage shows a diver attacked by a killer bull shark on the Great Barrier Reef was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Diving Holidays: 40 Insider Tips for Dive Travel

There s nothing worse than planning a great diving holiday or trip only to fnd that you have missing equipment or worse, damaged your equipment on route. Which is why you may find these 40 tips very useful ...

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of sportdiver.com[/caption]

Packing luggage full of dive gear and traveling to an unfamiliar place can be intimidating. Check out these 40 expert travel tips for scuba divers.

Experience is expensive, which goes along with the old adage that an expert is just a person who's made every mistake possible in a very narrow field. Whether you're approaching expert status in the world of dive travel, or you're just hoping to lessen the cost, we offer these tips on getting the most out of your diving vacation.  40 Insider Tips for Dive Travel

Scuba Diving Holidays

Make sure you plan well for your diving holiday and very rarely do you go wrong than by trusting the local diving centers who know their patch well. Review what other people have to say about them and dive with a reputable company.

In this video Scuba Diving Honduras show you what it's like to dive with a goliath grouper ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6wF2wkAipA

The article Diving Holidays: 40 Insider Tips for Dive Travel was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Diving News: Russian Shipwreck at the Bottom of Turkish Lake

Shipwrecks can be found all over the world including in lakes.

A group of divers finally discovered the remains of a ship they had been searching for in Lake Van and were surprised by what they found consdering the ship was sunk nearly 50 years ago ...

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of sputniknews.com[/caption]

Divers from the Lake Van Underwater Exploration Society have discovered the remains of a ship in good condition resting at the bottom of the lake, which apparently used to be a Russian cargo vessel that sank nearly half a century ago.

​Tahsin Ceylan, prominent underwater photography and one of the society members, explained that this discovery was not in fact a fluke but rather a result of hard work and meticulous research. Divers Discover Russian Shipwreck at the Bottom of Turkish Lake

Wrecks Not The Only Thing To Look Out!

Lots of divers will have never heard of Lake Van in Turkey but should you consider going there and diving this wreck ... watch out for the earthquakes!

In this video you can see how an earthquake was right n the center of the lake ...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utJi4bTb4ck

The article Diving News: Russian Shipwreck at the Bottom of Turkish Lake was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Sharks In The News: Heartstopping moment a diver goes face-to-face with an enormous shark

Close encounters of the shark kind!

As divers we know that all sharks are not a threat but it still takes some nerve to go noes to noes with one and capture it on film. This amazing event took place 3 miles off the shore of Jupiter, Florida.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of dailymail.co.uk[/caption]

This is the incredible moment a diver comes to face-to-face with a deadly shark with nothing but her swimsuit for protection.

Cassie Jensen, 27, from North Carolina, caught the attention of the Tiger shark, known as DJenny, three miles off the shore of Jupiter, Florida.

The curious predator was lured towards the diver by a cage of meat attached to her costume. But it seemed more interested in Cassie's diving equipment allowing the diver to get up close and personal with the man-eating sea creature.

Heartstopping moment a diver goes face-to-face with an enormous shark

Lemon and Tiger Sharks Jupiter Florida

Diving with tiger sharks seems to be very popular as this group of divers with Emerald Dive Charters show.  Footage shows numerous lemon sharks and Donna the well known tiger shark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=552oRs-a0Ow

 

 

The article Sharks In The News: Heartstopping moment a diver goes face-to-face with an enormous shark was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Conservation Spotlight: 70 percent of Japan’s largest coral reef has died

Global warming and rising sea temperatures can have a devastating effect on the marine environment. Reefs in Japan have seen beaching and dying corals due to these rising temperatures.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of wetpixel.com[/caption]

Japan’s largest coral reef is dying due to rising sea temperatures. Over 90 percent of corals on Japan’s Sekiseishoko reef in the Ryukyu Islands, near Okinawa, have some bleaching and 70 percent of the corals have died overall. The reef was surveyed in November and December by Japan’s Environment ministry. The bleaching is the worst in the recorded history of the reef and is due to rising sea temperatures.

The water temperature for the summer months this past year was 1 to 2 degrees Celsius higher than last summer.

Read the full article here. 70 percent of Japan’s largest coral reef has died

Japan's Coral Reefs

Here is footage of some of the coral reefs that can be explored around the Japanese coastline, here is Yonehara Beach, Japan ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo7KVH0ZFGY

and here is some great footage of the coral reefs on Taketomi Island ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iRi63hCz-I

 

 

The article Conservation Spotlight: 70 percent of Japan’s largest coral reef has died was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

Unusual Dive Sites: Jason deCaires Taylor’s Canary Island museum

We're always on the lookout for unusual dive sites around the world and here is one we found in Lanzarote which we are sure will become a popular dive for experienced scuba divers and tourists.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300"] courtesy of wetpixel.com[/caption]

Underwater sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor, gives some insight into his underwater museum, Museo Atlantico, that was placed off the island of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands one year ago. The sculptor garden of approximately 200 human forms is placed 46-feet underwater. The pieces represent the European migrant crisis among other current subjects.

Certainly the most pronounced piece is the almost 100-foot long concrete fence that represents climate change and is titled Rubicon which means the point of no return.

Watch the full video here. A tour of Jason deCaires Taylor’s Canary Island museum

Museo Atlantico Videos

In the videos below you get an idea of the size and scope of these stunning sculptures and I'm sure they'll make a fascinating dive when you are in this region.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6oWA66TfqM

In this video you get to see how the sculptures where put together ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z012BSqOnB4

The article Unusual Dive Sites: Jason deCaires Taylor’s Canary Island museum was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

New Scuba Destinations

New scuba destinations are being found every day. Take a look at this exciting destination in India ...

Kovalam: A hot spot for scuba diving- The New Indian Express

The prime activity of Bond Safari Kovalam is scuba diving and since its initiation in 2016, it has been very much appreciated, accepted and enjoyed by both international and domestic tourists alike. “We changed into our dive suits and left for the famed Kovalam beach, preparing ourselves for the encounter with the sea. In just a moment, I was engulfed by the eternity of the sea silencing the noise of the other world. Read more...

Kovalam Beach Scuba Diving Video

If you want an idea of what Kovalam beach is like take a look at this short video shot by an Indian company ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y4wWfZNAtg

 

The article New Scuba Destinations was first published on Florida Scuba Diving

White Sharks Curious About Florida Divers

As anyone who goes scuba diving on a regular basis will know, sharks aren't all about attacking. Take a look at this recent story ...

Watch: 'Curious' great white shark investigates scuba divers in Florida - UPI.com The video shows a great white shark, estimated to be 14 feet long and about 1,500 pounds, circling the group.

A Florida scuba diver captured video of a 14-foot great white shark circling he and his diving companions about 3 miles off the coast. read more at upi.com

Watch The Video Below ...

https://www.facebook.com/corey.embree/videos/vb.100000259519947/1395140840504553/?type=2&theater

 

The article White Sharks Curious About Florida Divers was first published on Florida Scuba Diving