Thu Nov 5 12:20
PM
Qualman Tugs / Reef
65 ft Wreck
20 seats
Book
Merrit Barge
Wreck · Deerfield Beach also known as wreck trek (deerfield,qualman
26° 17.980' N 80° 03.704' W
Advanced Open Water Max 65 ft Avg 60 ft Temporary Line
Today AMPoor
Details
Advanced Open Water
Minimum recommended certification
- Max depth
- 65 ft
- Average depth
- 60 ft
- Access
- Temporary Line
- Sea state today
- AMPoor PMPoor
Pictures 2
Where it is
26° 17.980' N 80° 03.704' W
Next boats to this site 2
Wed Nov 18 12:20
PM
Qualman Tugs / Reef
65 ft Wreck
20 seats
Book
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 July 1st, 2000
Barge
100 ftLength
32 ftBeam
Site description
The Merritt Barge—also known as the Qualman Barge—is a 100-foot-long, 32-foot-wide wreck resting upright near the 3rd reef, with its stern pointing southeast. The site is alive with reef fish, and divers frequently encounter Hogfish and Amberjacks weaving through the surrounding debris. For experienced navigators, this wreck marks the final leg of a thrilling underwater journey: start at the Ancient Mariner, pass through the Berry Patch, and finish at the Merritt Barge—assuming you're riding a southbound current, of course.
Route & typical conditions
Route
A couple of laps around the barge is enough to appreciate what it has to offer. For the braves ones following the wreck trek, its not that easy to find the next stop: Berry Patch Tug. Divers should swim east until finding the reef and then follow north for 600 feet. There to the west and approximately 100 feet from the reef is the tug. From the tug to the Ancient Mariner it's a much shorter jumper (around 150 feet) and the bearing is 310º.
Typical conditions
Conditions tend to be good in this site given that is not right over the reef, making the visibility slightly better. Current are usually north. This site is the starting point if divers are following the so called "Deerfield Wreck Trek" on north bound current.
Wreck history
Not much is known about the origin of this barge.
Divers' uploaded pictures
No diver pictures yet.
