Rex Bear
Wreck · Miami Beach also known as augie ferignno
25° 42.482' N 80° 04.633' W
Technical Hypoxic Trimix Max 226 ft Avg 210 ft Hot Drop
Today AMPoor
Details
Technical Hypoxic Trimix
Minimum recommended certification
- Max depth
- 226 ft
- Average depth
- 210 ft
- Access
- Hot Drop
- Sea state today
- AMPoor PMPoor
Video
🎥 ISDC
Pictures 2
Where it is
25° 42.482' N 80° 04.633' 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 |
Gas prices
| Aluminum 80 | $10 |
| Steel HP 100 | $10 |
| Steel LP 85 | $10 |
Wreck Details
Sunk Jun 16th, 1998
Freighter
273 ftLength
35 ftBeam
Site description
This is a deep wreck that sits upright and intact. Penetration is possible in this wreck - special interest presents the engine room of the wreck. Given its position, the site offers significant relief. Marine life is not that abundant at this depth. Divers shall expect encounters with large pelagic like sharks and barracudas. Also tunas, pompanos and jacks are common visitors to this wreck.
Route & typical conditions
Route
This is a technical dive only. Even among tec divers, this is considered a deep dive and hypoxic trimix is mandatoty.
Divers usually explore the outside of the wreck first and the do an attempt to explore the engine room. As in most of these wrecks, the engine room is open but it's a tight space that tends to get silty very quickly. Diver must exercise caution and always bring one than one light.
Typical conditions
Conditions are generally dark - although visibility could be good; and cold. Waters coming from the depth tend to keep this site below average in temperature. Thermal protection shall be planned ahead.
Wreck history
The Rex Bear, launched on April 4, 1956, at the Elmshorn shipyard in Germany by Kremer Sohn, has a fascinating history. In 1990, it arrived in Miami from Haiti and settled along the Miami River, where it remained for over seven years. Despite efforts from local and state agencies, representatives of the Costa Rican company that owned the derelict vessel were unresponsive to requests for its removal. Recognizing the hazard posed by the Rex Bear, the U.S. Coast Guard stepped in and began imposing steep fines to elicit the desired action.
Ultimately, the derelict vessel found a new purpose. It was donated to a local sport fishing group to serve as an artificial reef. This transformation allowed the Rex Bear to contribute positively to the marine ecosystem, fostering life and biodiversity.
Interestingly, the vessel had undergone various name changes over the years:
Simon (1965, Norwegian origin)
Ramsland (1975, Norway)
God is Good
Rex
Rex Bear (Costa Rica)
Additionally, divers now refer to this site as the Augie Ferrigno dive site. Exploring the Rex Bear underwater reveals a unique blend of history and marine life.
Divers' uploaded pictures
No diver pictures yet.
