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Local Wreck and Reef Dive Sites
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Tracy (Key Vitale) 45ft - 70ft
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The Tracy was sunk in 1998 in 70 feet of water and lies upright. This wreck
is very popular for wreck diving classes with easy penetration into the wreck.
The Tracy is attached to the Jay Scutti by a cable and with a well planned
dive it is possible to see both wrecks as the Jay Scutti is about 100'-150'
away. Ken Vitale was a well known instructor and on the wreck there is a
plaque honoring this well liked local diver.
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Hog Heaven 55ft - 70ft
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A 180' barge sunk 19 Sept. 1986 along with other debris including the Pacific Reef Lighthouse (which
is often referred to as the "Jungle Gym" and 1200' of concrete dredge pipe. Several pieces
of barges lie near the SW and NW corners. Tons of fish are found on the Jungle Gym and often several
Golith Groupers are found inside the barge which as a several holes for penetration (watch your head!).
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Mercedes 55ft - 95ft
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The 197' Mercedes was sunk March 30, 1985. As a result of hurricane Andrew and later storms, the
bow and stern are nearly detached from the rest of the ship and are twisted as much as 45 degrees
to starboard. Her bow is to the North East and is tilted up to seaward.
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Captain Dan 70ft - 100ft
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The Captain Dan wreck is an old U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender named the "Hollyhock".
Then it became a Missionship and renamed "Good News".
It was sunk in Feburary 1990, part of the Rodeo Reef and renamed in memory of Captain Dan Garnsey.
This is a 175' wreck with prominent superstructure, bow North.
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Robert Edmister 45ft - 70ft
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This wreck, in a previous life was a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter named the "Cape Gull". Sunk
in 1989, she is upright on the sand with a slight list to starboard. There is a cable connecting the
stern to another wreck called the "Wendy Rossheim" which is about 100ft away.
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Jim Atria 90ft - 135ft
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Jim Atria was a developer, diver, and sport fisherman who lived in Broward County. He assisted in
the sinking of this vessel because he wanted to show his appreciation for the surrounding community.
The ship, a 240-foot Dutch freighter, was originally named Poinciana and was built in 1961. She was
later renamed Jim Atria.
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Jay Scutti 55ft - 70ft
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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 called
the B.H. Lake, is 130 feet northeast of the Jay Scutti.
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Peter B. McAllister 50ft - 75ft
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One of two tugs from the McAllister Towing Co. in New York City. This wreck lies in
the sand, upright except for a slight starboard list. The bow is North East and the
ship is 85' long.
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Donal G. McAllister 45ft - 75ft
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One of two tugs from the McAllister Towing Co. in New York City. Sunk June 23, 1998
as part of the Broward County Artificial Reef Program, this 101-foot former New York
harbor boat now lies in 75 feet of water and rises 30 feet off the sea floor.
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Rebel 70ft - 110ft
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The wreck of the Rebel lies bow north, on a sand and coral debris bottom. The wreck,
formerly the Norwegian "Andrea" is 135' long. At a federal auction, she was
purchased by an environmentalist attorney who gave her over to the Broward County
reef program. She was renamed Rebel after the buyer's dog and sunk to create an
artificial reef in 1985.
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Tenneco Towers 65ft - 110ft
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Tenneco Towers, the largest artificial reef in southeast Florida, was created in 1985
when the Tenneco Oil Company sank five large oil production platforms.
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Pride 45ft - 70ft
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The 95-foot long steel hulled sailboat Pride was sunk in November 21, 1987. The Pride is
only 100 feet away from the Jay Scutti. This wreck is 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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Merci Jesus 45ft - 70ft
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The Merci Jesus is 90' long and 26' wide, bow pointing south and the hull is upright. The Merci Jesus was seized by U.S. Customs Officials in April of 1998 for possession of drugs. The ship was then sank by the Broward County Artificial Reef Program on August 11, 1998. The vessel sits in 70ft of water and has some really good swim throughs that are easy enough for a beginner and fun for everyone.
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Houseboat 75ft - 90ft
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Originally named Duzaway, this 70-foot wreck known as the Houseboat, was reefed in 90
feet of water in 1987 to create an artifical reef.
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Copenhagen 20ft - 30ft
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This ship was a 325' long steel cargo ship bound for Cuba when running aground in 1900. It is
a State Marine Archaeological Preserve since 1994 and has a nice plaque on the south end. It
is located on the eastern side of the Pompano Dropoff.
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Hammerhead Reef 60ft - 90ft
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Hammerhead is a reef that extends for over two miles from the Dania Pier almost to Port
Everglades Cut. A great spot for a drift dive.
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Willies Way 20ft - 30ft
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In the 1980's Willie Cline was teaching IDC's on Captain Bill's
dive boat on a regular basis. Willie wanted a nice sandy bottom in 30' of water.
Bill knew a lot of reef locations but not one that totally met Willie's
needs. One day Willie came up during a drift dive and yelled to Bill, "This
is it!". It was a large area of beautiful sand surrounded by amazing coral
and rock formations. Willie got his "Way"! Since then many divers have
been trained at that site.
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Sunrise Ledge 20ft - 30ft
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Description in progress.
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Fisher's Pedistal 20ft - 30ft
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Bill Cole and Brent Fisher were diving from the vessel
EXPERIENCE with Capt. Steve Westervelt in 1980. They came upon a group of
coral heads that were unique, like a pedestal. It was an underwater
cleaning station. They surfaced to record landmarks and Bill was gracious
enough to let the site keep Brent's last name:-) Fisher's Pedestal.
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Oakland Ridges 20ft - 30ft
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A series of 15 mooring buoys marking a ledge in 18-28 feet of water with several
caves and crevices.
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The Caves 20ft - 30ft
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A shallow series of ledges located about 2 miles north from the Port Everglades Inlet.
A system of 16 moorings mark a broken ledge varying in depth from 20 to 30 feet.
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Barracuda Reef 20ft - 35ft
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A series of 29 mooring buoys, Barracuda Reef is a fairly shallow reef off Broward County
that offers a dive experience similar to diving on reefs in the Florida Keys. Excellent
for fish-watching.
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Twin Ledges 15ft - 20ft
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This is our favorite snorkel location and also a great dive site. There are
two ledges, one on the east and one on the west. There is a valley cut out
in the center that runs about 150' the length. Tons of fish and other critters
hang out here!
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Hall of Fame 20ft - 30ft
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North of Oakland Ridges and South of the S.S. Copenhagen are a shallow series of ledges.
A system of 9 moorings varying in depth from 20 to 30 feet.
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Pompano Ledge 15ft - 25ft
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Marking the "Pompano Drop-off" there is a system of 34 moorings. This is a
great ledge to dive for beginners and all diver enthusiasts as there are tons of critters.
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