Sea Mist II

The Sea Mist II, with IMO number 6515722, had a fascinating history. Built in 1965 by the shipyard of AB. Ekensbergs Varo in Stockholm, Sweden, she started as the Don Carlos—a 265.4-foot long, 44.3-foot wide general cargo Roll-On-Roll-Off (RO-RO) vessel. Over the years, she changed hands and names several times. In 1973, she was sold to Nils Hugo Sand of Oslo, Norway, and renamed Nopal Sand. In 1977, she was acquired by Empresa Azucarera Montelimar S.A., a sugar company controlled by Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza, and renamed Carla. Later, she operated under Trafford Holdings, Limited of the Cayman Islands as the Aracely in 1980. By 1988, Caribbean Tankers, Incorporated of Panama owned her, and she sailed as the Aries Navigator. In 1990, Liquid Cargo, Incorporated of Belize had her, and she was renamed Rosemere. After being purchased by Bayside Marine, Incorporated in 1992, she was known as Bayside. Finally, in 1995, the American company C.P. Cargo and Shipping acquired the vessel and renamed her Sea Mist II. Unfortunately, financial troubles plagued her new owners, and the Sea Mist II didn’t operate for long. Neglected and rusting along the Miami River, she was eventually impounded by the U.S. Coast Guard due to safety and pollution violations. Schurger Salvage and Diving, Incorporated acquired, cleaned, and ultimately scuttled her off Jupiter on May 25, 2001. Now, she rests upright and intact in 215 feet of water, oriented with her bow facing southward, portions of her rising almost 90 feet off the bottom. Quite a journey for a single vessel!