Cayman Salvage Master
Cayman Salvage Master: If you’re on a scuba vacation in Florida then one Key West dive site you may visit is the Cayman Salvage Master
Located 1 mile southwest of the dive site known as 9ft Stake is an artificial reef site created with the sinking of the Cayman Salvage Master in 80ft deep waters.
Many divers who dive here during their scuba vacation all agree that the most spectacular sight at this dive is the large cable spool mounted on her bow and still intact. Now encrusted with marine life this is a gorgeous backdrop for your underwater photos.
The ship had been stripped prior to sinking but there are some entanglements and therefore it is advised you dive with someone who has prior knowledge of the wreck.
A large jewfish has been sighted here and the wreck swarms with fish. Permits, jacks, barracuda to name but a few are always in attendance and if you dive here on your scuba vacation make sure you bring your camera and if possible a light for some spectacular photos as there is plenty to explore.
Some interesting facts about the Cayman Salvage Master
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Built 1937 in Wilmington, Delaware
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187ft long steel hull
- Originally named Lieutenant Colonel Ellery W. Miles
- Name then changed to F.V.Hunt
- During her service she has been used as a minelayer, luxury yacht, cable layer and freighter
- Seized in 1979 boat-lifting Cubans to Miami
- Sank prematurely on its way to the designated dive site in 1985
- Sank on her port side but was up righted by Hurricane Katrina
Key West Scuba Videos
Key West has some very popular dive sites and many have been photographed. Scuba diving videos are probably the most popular method of recording dives and below is a brief video of a typical wreck dive at Key West.
This video is of the Cayman Salvage Master and gives you a sample of what to expect when diving off the Florida coast (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)…
Terence’s Log
Cayman Salvage Master
Depth: 18-27m (60-90ft)
Visibility: 6-15m (20-50ft)
Plenty of large fish
Intermediate to Advanced
Wreck Dive
Snorkeling: No
I had been told of some odd things at the site but the sight of the bicycles does make you grin.
If you explore this Key West dive site you will find there is plenty of penetration and the marine life is fantastic especially around the cable spool.
Key West Dive Sites:
