New Wreck: Ophelia Brian sunk off Miami

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iztok

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Rumors has it that there is going to be a new wreck (about to be sunk) off the coast of Miami (give or take few miles I guess). Anyone knows anything about it?
 
For the record, if the stated LOA of 210' is correct, it's no where near the largest artificial reef in Dade County.

Miami-Dade County to get its largest artificial reef - Other Sports - MiamiHerald.com

Miami-Dade County to get its largest artificial reef
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BY SUSAN COCKING
scocking@MiamiHerald.com
Just in time for 2010, Miami-Dade County is about to get its largest artificial reef deployed by and for the sport-diving community.

A local scuba diving organization called Miami-Dade Reef Guard Association (MIRA) -- headed by Miami Beach dive operator Mike Beach -- said that the 210-foot freighter Sea Taxi is scheduled for sinking off Key Biscayne on Dec. 30.

With help from Miami-Dade County's Department of Environmental Resources Management, workers from the Bruce Schurgar Company are slated to put the ship down in 100 feet of water.

``This will be the first wreck we've had in Miami-Dade County in a long time,'' Beach said. ``We're hoping to reinvigorate the diving community in Miami.''

NEW HOME FOR FISH

The new artificial reef is expected to boost the local marine ecosystem by creating a new home for fish and other marine creatures while diverting diving pressure off adjacent natural reefs.

Beach said it is being re-named the Ophelia Brian after the daughter of donors from the Brian and Lavinia Snyder Foundation -- avid divers who contributed funds for the project. Built in 1965 by the J.J. Sietas yard in Hamburg, Germany, and christened the Hoheburg, the vessel is a sister ship to two very popular, previously sunk Miami-Dade artificial reefs -- the Ultra Freeze and the Deep Freeze. It's been renamed several times in the past 40 years, most recently called the Sea Taxi.

DIVE/VIEWING TRIP

MIRA will host a dive/viewing trip to the sinking aboard the Big Com-ocean out of Miami Beach Marina at noon Dec. 30. The organization also plans to sell medallions and stickers for $10 apiece to raise funds for Miami-Dade County artificial reef and mooring buoy programs. For more information, call 305-861-6277 or visit Miami-Dade Reef Guard Association.
 
Which wreck located off of Miami-Dade is larger?
 
Thanks for the info! I just found out I got a spot on one of the boats that get to see it sink and then get to dive it! With little luck this will be my 100th dive!
 
Just wanted to post the official new name of the wreck: Ophelia Brian

(to help future search)
 
Thanks for the info! I just found out I got a spot on one of the boats that get to see it sink and then get to dive it! With little luck this will be my 100th dive!
Awesome! I hope it IS your 100th. Please post back about it after you dive her!
 
Which wreck located off of Miami-Dade is larger?

Quite a few actually.
The Jupiter Star (250'), the Cruz del Sur (287'), The Doc Demilly (287'), the Ocean Freeze (290'), the Augie Ferrigno (290') quickly come to mind. There's also a 400' plus liberty ship out there but it's in 400' of water.

The DERM website for Dade County will list the ones I've missed :)
 
Here is an image of the vessel in service as MARIANNE C in 1988.
Just like other coasters used as artificial reefs, this thing will be *crushed* with the first medium-strong storm that rolls through, especially if she is only in 100 feet of water. Not a prudent placement for this type of ship. Enjoy it while it lasts I suppose...
 

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  • SEA TAXI as MARIANNE C in 1988.jpg
    SEA TAXI as MARIANNE C in 1988.jpg
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SEA TAXI is actually barely 200 feet long. Several other vessels sunk in Miami-Dade, which are larger - aside from the ones Brian named (BTW - AUGIE FERRIGNO/REX BEAR is only 202.6' LOA) - PROTEUS, DEEP FREEZE (not a sister ship, as this was a reefer, while SEA TAXI is dry/general cargo), ULTRA FREEZE, LAKELAND, SHERI LYN...

But it will be the largest sunk off Miami this year at least...
:D
 
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