Noulla Express

The Noulla Express lies to the east of the other two wrecks in this area, nestled just beyond a series of patch reefs. As the first artificial reef jointly sunk by Broward and Palm Beach counties, the Noulla Express has a rich history. Originally a Danish freighter built in 1931, the Noulla Express underwent multiple name changes and ownership shifts during her decades of service in Scandinavia. Eventually, she crossed the Atlantic under a Panamanian registration. However, her involvement in a drug case led to her seizure. Subsequently, a joint committee from the Palm Beach and Broward County reef programs purchased her, and she was scuttled on July 12, 1998. Workers used blow torches to cut holes in her aging hull, preparing her for her final resting place. Hurricane Andrew, in 1992, dealt further blows, tearing the Noulla Express into three pieces. Her bow now tilts skyward, and her cargo holds lie flattened. Despite the challenges, the passage of time has allowed corals and sponges to completely colonize her surfaces. Today, the Noulla Express hosts a vibrant community of marine life. Among its inhabitants are filefish and angelfish, each finding refuge amidst the rusted remnants of this once-active vessel.