WIND PASSES
This week the winds came down and we had an absolute stunning week for ocean activities. The winds picked up a little on Sunday but the forecast calls for them to once again cooperate and lay down for this coming week.
WONDERFUL WRECKS
We did an “Islamorada wreck special” this past week. Islamorada has one very well known wreck, the Eagle. But did you know it also has a few wrecks many divers don’t know about? Not only do we take divers to the wreck of the Eagle, but we also take divers to the Alexander Barge, the Yellow Submarine Barge and the Cannabis Cruiser. These are lesser known wrecks and maybe not as grand in scale as the Eagle, but they still offer the experience of diving on a wreck that is covered in life.
The Alexander Barge is located not far from the Eagle and is surrounded by bridge rubble. I believe it’s the rubble from when they re-did the Snake Creek Bridge. Wherever it came from, it creates an amazing habitat for sea life. The barge itself sits in about 100 feet of water and rises off the bottom about 15 to 20 feet. Loaded with life is a phrase you’ll read a few times in this post. But it is. It’s one of my go-to spots to harvest the invasive lionfish.
The Yellow Submarine barge is also located in Islamorada waters. It sits in about 80 feet of water and has an usual 15-foot replica yellow submarine sitting atop of it. Since it is close to the reef, this wreck attracts numerous critters and is “loaded with life”.
The Cannabis Cruiser, or Pot Wreck as some call it, sits in about 105 feet of water. She’s an old 1970s trawler that was smuggling – you guessed it – cannabis in bales. The crew was warned that the Coast Guard was on the lookout for them so they purposely sank or scuttled the vessel.
She broke up a bit, but it still attracts bunches of critters.
If anyone out there would like to experience different types of wrecks other than the amazing wrecks we offer like the Duane, Bibb, Spiegel and Eagle, then jump aboard with us and come check out these lesser known vessels.
I.CARE
I.CARE will be planting out of Key Dives this Saturday. Give them a call to participate.
CONSERVATION TIP
Don’t forget, wrecks are living reefs. The wrecks themselves have numerous living corals and sponges and other life that are living on it. Treat it like you would a living coral reef and reduce your interactions. Keep your hands off and your fin kicks controlled.
