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Rio Miami

Wreck · Miami Beach

25° 42.163' N 80° 05.226' W

Advanced Open Water Advanced Open Water Max 75 ft Avg 65 ft Temporary Line Today PMPoor

Details

Advanced Open Water
Minimum recommended certification
Max depth
75 ft
Average depth
65 ft
Access
Temporary Line
Sea state today
AMPoor PMPoor

Where it is

25° 42.163' N 80° 05.226' W

Next boats to this site 4

Operators that dive here

Best Gas

atm
atm
Overlay Image
Gas prices
Aluminum 80 $10
Steel HP 100 $10
Steel LP 85 $10

Wreck Details

Sunk November 28th, 1989
Tugboat
105 ftLength
? ftBeam

Site description

The wreck lies at a depth of 75 feet (22 meters) and is one of the most intact wrecks in the area. Its cabin and ladders are still intact, making it easily penetrable for divers. The site is known for its abundant marine life, and it’s a nice dive spot with lots of fish. Operator very rarely schedule this site but mostly it's a pass through when diving the Key Biscayne Wreck Trek.

Route & typical conditions

Route

This site is very small and a couple of laps around it will give divers a good sense of what to expect. Penetration is possible, although there is no much to see inside and the space are very tight - and tend to get silted after one diver penetrates. This site sits north of the Paraiso III wreck and the DEMA Trader, both larger and much more attractive dive sites.

Typical conditions

Conditions are often good. Visibility may average 50 feet and currents are typically north.

Wreck history

Rio Miami historic photo
The Rio Miami, originally built as the tug “Brant” for the Curtis Bay Towing Corporation, had a storied history. In 1971, it was sold to Moran Towing and renamed “Barbara Moran.” After serving in New York, Puerto Rico, and Jacksonville, the tug ended up in Jacksonville with a broken crankshaft. Moran decided to donate it as an artificial reef. Renamed “Rio Miami,” the vessel was scuttled in 65 feet of water off Key Biscayne on November 28, 1989. It remains upright and intact, though listing about 45 degrees to the starboard side. Rebar stakes lead from the bow of the Rio Miami to the nearby wreck of the Paraiso III.

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