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Matthew Lawrence Memorial Reef

Wreck · Miami Beach

25° 48.687' N 80° 05.405' W

Open Water Open Water Max 50 ft Avg 40 ft Temporary Line Today AMNo dive
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Details

Open Water
Minimum recommended certification
Max depth
50 ft
Average depth
40 ft
Access
Temporary Line
Sea state today
AMNo dive PMPoor

Video

🎥 Amanda Orozco

Pictures 3

Matthew Lawrence Memorial Reef - A diver explores the interior of the structure
A diver explores the interior of the structure 📸 Pablo Strika
Matthew Lawrence Memorial Reef - The "Lawrence" has been colonized by corals long ago
The "Lawrence" has been colonized by corals long ago 📸 Pablo Strika
Matthew Lawrence Memorial Reef - A shallow and easy wreck for all level divers
A shallow and easy wreck for all level divers 📸 Pablo Strika

Where it is

25° 48.687' N 80° 05.405' W

Next boats to this site 2

Operators that dive here

Best Gas

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Gas prices
Aluminum 80 $10
Steel HP 100 $10
Steel LP 85 $10

Wreck Details

Sunk January 5th, 1996
Barge
110 ftLength
? ftBeam

Site description

This is a shallow and very interesting site to visit - both beginners and advanced divers may enjoy diving this site. Marine life is very abundant in this site: school of grunts, surgeon fish and sergeant majors call this place home. Although there is no real penetration in this site, divers may swim through some of the openings in the structure. This wreck used to be a barge, so there is no engine room to visit, but part of what looks like a superstructure is open are allows easy exploration. The wreck can occasionally be seen from the surface and is also a good site for snorkeling. Sites nearby can be accessed via rebar stakes.

Route & typical conditions

Route

Operators may trips to the Matthew Lawrence as the main site and allow divers to visit near by wrecks - including the Army Tanks that sit west of this site 500 feet away - a rock pile marks the route. Divers shall explore this wreck starting with a couple of swims around the structure and then attempt the swims through inside the structure.

Typical conditions

Conditions are often goos: visibility ranging from 40 to 60 feet and currents tend to be mild and heading north. Although conditions may be good in this site, divers should be careful if exploring the sites near by - as visibility can be deteriorated in these shallow sites.

Wreck history

Matthew Lawrence Memorial Reef historic photo
In memory of Mathew Lawrence, one of the founders of Aqua Video and a pioneer in underwater video housing development, an artificial reef site was established on January 5, 1996. Lawrence tragically lost his life while diving the Andrea Doria on July 1, 1992. The reef site features a plaque honoring Lawrence, attached to the top of the pilot house of a 100-foot former treasure salvage ship. Originally known as the Number Seven, this vessel was discovered shortly after Lawrence’s death by Robert Arnove of RJ Diving Ventures. However, it took over four years to acquire, clean, and finally sink the ship as part of the reef project. To cover the $13,000 in costs, a successful fundraiser was held in Mathew’s honor, raising over $5,000 toward the final expenses. 

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