Orion Wreck

Orion Wreck

Maimi Dive Sites

Built in the 1920′s the Orion wreck was originally known as the Trinada and was built for the Panama Canal Company and used to widen the Panama Canal in South America. When she was originally commissioned she was run on electric motors but these were later converted to diesel engines.

Miami Shipwrecks – Orion Wreck

After the Orion had finished its work at the Panama Canal she was delivered to Miami during the 1970′s and with the help of Federal aid was used as a diesel school under the funding ran out.

She then sat on Miami River rusting away for 5 years before being rescued by the State of Florida who gave the tug to Dade County to be sunk of the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida, and used as part of the artificial reef program which was gathering momentum at the time.

The planned sinking of this 120 foot steel tug took place in December 1981 but not all went to plan as is often the case with these planned sinking’s. Originally sunk in 125 feet of water the Orion lift her anchorage during some heavy seas and managed to drift into shallower waters of 95 feet.

This was and still is a great dive site with the engines and 10 foot propeller shaft intact until during 1992 Hurricane Andrew damaged this site as it did with many others in Miami. The wheelhouse or pilot house was completely ripped from the vessel during the storm but miraculously lies on the sandy sea floor just 50 feet away and is housing some great marine life such as bait fish which love environments such as this.

The Orion is still one of the most popular dive sites around Miami and is suitable for experienced divers who will find this vessel covered in stunning sponges and corals and to fully enjoy this wreck you need to bring a torch.

Scuba 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 Orion and Proteus and you can see the vast amounts of marine life and the fantastic colors of the corals growing on these wrecks. (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)…

Terence’s Log

This is a fantastic dive as the Orion wreck has now been on the sea bed since 1981 and therefore has developed plenty of growth and is home to many formms of sea life.

Make sure you take an underwater camera or underwater video to this dive site as there is plenty to capture especially close up