| If it weren't for the coral reef located in the Florida | | | | refugee vessel that was confiscated by the US |
| Keys, the United States would have nothing to offer | | | | government. The ship was tied up to a dock where |
| as far as scuba diving and coral reefs are concerned. | | | | she sank before she was re-floated. Then, during her |
| In addition to the living coral reef that has been a | | | | burial voyage of 1985, she sank in about 90 feet of |
| main scuba diving attraction of the Florida Keys for | | | | water coming to rest on her side. Recently, Hurricane |
| more than 35 years, numerous dive able wrecks are | | | | Katrina righted the ship and now divers can swim |
| scattered throughout the waters providing exotic and | | | | along the hull and deck hoping to spy huge Jewfish |
| breathtaking artificial reef habitats. Here is a brief | | | | and moray eels that reside in the open hatches of |
| overview of some of the wrecks you can visit while | | | | the wreck. |
| scuba diving in the Florida Keys: | | | | Duane - If you're experienced at scuba diving, you |
| Benwood - The Benwood is perhaps the oldest scuba | | | | might want to pay a visit to the wreck Duane while |
| diving wreck site to be found in the Florida Keys. This | | | | you're in the Florida Keys area. This US Coast Guard |
| WWII ship was sunk in 1942 when it collided with | | | | Cutter was intentionally sunk in 120 feet of water in |
| another whip while dodging German U-boats near the | | | | the year 1987. Due to the strong Gulf Stream |
| coast of Florida. While the wreck is not intact (it was | | | | current and depth associated with the wreck, only |
| blown apart because it presented a boating hazard) it | | | | advanced divers are allowed to dive this site. The |
| is home to a wide array of marine life. Scuba diving | | | | Duane is home to grunts, sponges, chubbs, jacks, |
| near the Benwood will bring you face to face with | | | | barracuda, and numerous tropical fish. |
| critters such as Pork fish, grunts, lobsters, moray | | | | In addition to these three wrecks that can be seen |
| eels, glassy sweepers, Sergeant Majors, Goatfish, | | | | while scuba diving in the Florida Keys, there are |
| and Christmas Tree Worms. Since the ship had run | | | | several other wrecks in the area that have been |
| aground before it was blown up, the dive is a | | | | intentionally sunk to become artificial reef habitats. |
| relatively shallow one and great for novice divers as | | | | Each offers a different experience and a unique look |
| well as advanced divers. | | | | into how the ocean transforms a foreign object into |
| Cayman Salvage Master - This wreck that can be | | | | a beautiful habitat where marine life can grow and |
| seen while scuba diving in the Florida Keys is a Cuban | | | | thrive. |