Joe's Tug
Wreck · Key West also known as joe
24° 27.843' N 81° 44.262' W
Open Water Max 65 ft Avg 60 ft Permanent Mooring Balls
Today AMPoor
Details
Open Water
Minimum recommended certification
- Max depth
- 65 ft
- Average depth
- 60 ft
- Access
- Permanent Mooring Balls
- Sea state today
- AMPoor PMPoor
Video
🎥 FloridaKeysTV
Pictures 1
Where it is
24° 27.843' N 81° 44.262' W
Next boats to this site 0
No confirmed trips to this site are listed yet.
Operators that dive here
Best Gas
Gas prices
| Diluent tank | $35.50 |
| O2 tank | $10.00 |
atm
atm
Gas prices
| Aluminum 80 | $10 |
| Steel HP 100 | $10 |
| Steel LP 85 | $10 |
NDL at is
24 hr min surface interval
Always use a dive computer
Wreck Details
Sunk January 21st, 1989
Trawler
75 ftLength
? ftBeam
Site description
Joe's Tug is a popular dive site located about 7 miles southeast of Key West. Despite its name, Joe's Tug is not actually a tugboat but rather a 75-foot steel-hulled shrimp boat that was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. The boat was cleaned and modified to ensure stability before being placed on the ocean floor.
The wreck now lies in shallow waters, making it an excellent dive site for both novice and experienced divers. The site is covered with a variety of marine life, including soft and hard corals, sponges, and invertebrates. Divers can expect to see moray eels, barracudas, grunts, sergeant majors, lobsters, and small crabs. The wreck itself provides an interesting structure to explore, with its history adding an extra layer of intrigue.
Joe's Tug is known for its clear waters and good visibility, which enhance the overall diving experience. The shallow depth of the site allows divers to spend more time exploring the wreck and its surroundings without worrying about decompression stops. It's a great spot for underwater photography and for those looking to get comfortable with wreck diving.
Route & typical conditions
Route
This site has only one mooring ball, still not a frequently visited site. There is some opportunities for penetration, but divers should practice extreme care as the wreck has been underwater for many years and the structure is weak.
Typical conditions
Divers should expect good conditions in this site. Currents can pick up occasionally.
Wreck history
Joe's Tug has an interesting history that adds to its allure as a dive site. Originally a 75-foot steel-hulled shrimp boat, Joe's Tug was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef. The boat was cleaned and modified to ensure stability before being placed on the ocean floor. This process involved removing the engine and adding metal braces to make it more stable.
The boat was initially intended to be shipped off to Miami, but local legend has it that a group of pirates commandeered the vessel and brought it to its current location. This colorful backstory adds an element of mystery and adventure to the dive site.
Joe's Tug was sunk in 1986 and has since become a popular dive site for both novice and experienced divers. The wreck is covered with a variety of marine life, including soft and hard corals, sponges, and invertebrates. Divers can explore the wreck and its surroundings, enjoying the clear waters and good visibility that enhance the overall diving experience.
Divers' uploaded pictures
No diver pictures yet.
