Belzona Tugs

Belzona Tugs

Maimi Dive Sites

The three Belzona Tugs have all been sunk in an area known as the Belzona Triangle at Key Biscayne Artificial Reef Site. Blown up and sunk by the Miami and Dade County Bomb Squads the first of the tugs Belzona I was sunk in 1991 in 72 feet of water and sits upright on the sandy bottom making it easy for you to explore.

Scuba Diving Miami – Belzona Tugs

Belzona I is then joined by rebar to Belzona II a 90 foot long wrought iron tug which lies 150 feet to the west in slightly shallower of 68 feet. This tug was built in the early 1900′s and operated on the Great Lakes before being renamed and working under the name of Miramar Express.

As with a lot of wrecks in Key Biscayne this wreck took a battering from Hurricane Andrew which resulted in some damage to the pilot house.

However this wreck is still mainly intact and a great site to visit providing you’re a certified diver.

The last of the Belzona Tugs, Belzona III, is a 105 foot ocean going tug boat that was built in 1953 at the Avondale Shipyards near New Orleans. This tug worked until 1989 when a major breakdown of her engines meant she was sold for salvage. Fortunately the tug was then sold to Belzona America with the purpose of being used to create an artificial reef site and is the final tug to make up the Belzona Triangle.

This final tug boat is located 75 feet west of Belzona II and has her bow deep in sand and covered with plenty of growth providing a habitat for various marine life. This wreck is good for exploring especially if you are a novice.

You will be delighted to find barracuda keeping you company at this wreck and spiny lobsters tucked away in the nooks and crannies provided by this wreck.

Miami Scuba Diving Videos

One of the attractions of Miami scuba diving is that you will be able to take underwater photographs or underwater videos such as the one below. With excellent light and clear waters you will be able to get some excellent shots.

This video was taken at one of the Belzona tugs and it gives you an idea of what to expect 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

The Belzona Tugs make for a good dive provided you are prepared to swim from one tug to another. When they were originally sited they were much closer together and easily visible but over the years the various storms and Hurricane Andrew have moved the tugs further apart and you now need to be guided by the rebar which is attached to each tug.

Also you will want to ensure you pace your dive when you dive these tugs as you will probably be swimming against the current at the end of your dive.