Duane Earle of Winnipeg is believed to have fallen overboard from the deck of a navy frigate during the return trip to its home base in Esquimalt, B.C. On November 27, 1987, she was towed to Molasses Reef, her hatches opened, her holds pumped … View Duane Marais’ profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. I was excited and a bit apprehensive as I followed the divemaster and others around the ship. It is well-known for saving lots of lives accomplishing escort duty in Florida Keys expanse. There was neither a land or object reference in sight and my bubbles moving upward were the only definitive indication of the surface’s location. The Duane lies just outside the reef line with schools of barracudas hovering around its bow waiting for smaller baitfish to pass by. I was proud of myself and my confidence blossomed in the wake of my triumph. The sister ship to the Duane, the Bibb lies in 130 ft of water. After turning and giving my buddy the okay signal, I resumed my descent and caught up with the diver in front of me. We looked at decks, rigging and portholes and I tried to imagine the ship dry and above water with dozens of people milling around on it. I know, at the very least, that I let out an exhale of relief as I watched the shark’s tail disappear into the blue. Diving the USCGC Duane Wreck, near Key Largo, Florida, USA At some point while descending the line, I looked up and realized there was little if any discernible difference between what was above me and what was below. USCG Duane: Dive the Duane! Sunk in 1987, make sure to check this 327 foot Coast Guard wreck off your list. “I CAN do this,” my internal dialogue continued to repeat with each calming breath as the intense and conflicting emotions and desires triggered a tear to fall from the corner of my eye and slide down the inside of my mask. I only dive this time of year). Week-end crowd The information listed on this site is to be used as a reference and is only our opinion/suggestion. The Diving.. Wow. This was my check out dive after not diving for 11 months (I guess I should point out this is normal for me. Bio interest Interesting. In my mind, I could hear the Jimmy Buffet lyrics to “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” singing “Mother mother ocean…in your belly you hold the treasures few have ever seen.” I continued the dive in awe until we eventually had to call it for reasons I’ve already detailed in another article. for reasons I’ve already detailed in another article, Mexico’s Best Dive Destinations Part II: The Sea of Cortez, Eight Eco-Tips for Your Next Scuba Diving Trip, Choose an Eco-Friendly Operator for Your Next Dive, Mexico’s Best Dive Destinations Part 1: Socorro Island, Updates on the Tragic Death of Rob Stewart. Horizon Divers: Diving on the USCG Duane - See 394 traveler reviews, 200 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. Very thankful that South Beach Dive shop was able to place me on this charter on short notice. The murky blue was completely enveloping me on all sides. Mon, Feb 18, 2013 at 12:00AM. Wreck and deep diving are her favorite specialties and she looks forward furthering her training in Tec diving, learning more about underwater photography, and doing more diving abroad. Share your responses with us on our Monterey Boats Facebook wall or in our comments section below. Scuba Diver Life I gripped the rope in what could only be considered a white-knuckled grasp, not that anyone would have been able to see the colour of my knuckles at that depth. After diving recreationally since the 90s as part of her adventure sports regimen, Shelley finally got her PADI instructor certification in 2009 in Mexico. USCG Duane: DIving the Duane - See 187 traveller reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. “Just breathe,” I told myself, “Focus.”  I took slow, deep breaths while deliberately trying to quell the rising panic that stemmed from the disorientation I was feeling. The Duane was named after Andrew Jackson’s Secretary of the State, William J. Duane. Before her decommissioning she worked as part of a drug enforcement team. Dive site quality Great. I had seen reef and nurse sharks before but this creature, I knew, was neither. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Diving Instruction in Richmond Hill, GA. I held tightly onto the line. While some part of me was thinking “This is cool!” I felt my breath quicken and my heart rate increase as panic threatened to set in. I can’t wait to get back down on the wreck again to more fully explore it so many years later – and with so much more training and experience under my belt. She is a must do dive in the Keys. The USCG Duane is a Coast Guard cutter named for former Secretary of the Treasury William John Duane who served under President Andrew Jackson. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Duane’s connections and jobs at similar companies. USCG Duane: Great Dive - See 187 traveler reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. Kelliher said the shark would swim the length of the 327-foot Duane and dive down deep once it reached the ship's bow. Oct 26, 2018 - Dive sites in the Florida Keys: Dive The Wreck Of The Duane #scubadivingtrip To find out more about the cookies on our web site, please read our, Monterey Boats Welcomes New Dealer: Midsouth Marine Group, Monterey Boats Wins in Every Boat Category. She was intentionally sunk in 1985 as part of the artificial reef program. And when I say by the water, I mean it. - See 187 traveller reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. We cannot be held responsible for any errors on the site and for any actions you may take after viewing its content. Wreck Diving in Key Largo with Sail Fish Scuba. USCG Duane: Diving the Duane - See 187 traveler reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. Suffice to say, the Duane was and remains one of my most memorable dives for more than one reason, both of which have now been recounted. (The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan) With a full exhale, I grasped the mooring line alongside the others and pulled myself hand-over-hand into the depths. The Duane is generally considered one of the advanced Florida Keys diving sites, its maximum depth is around 120 feet. - Duration: 19:39. I was ready, I wanted to see this ship – my first large wreck dive and my first deep dive, all wrapped up in one. But no sooner had I put the panic to rest than I noticed that the downward movement on the line in front of me had come to a sudden stop. There was movement there – a large, solitary marine animal of some kind. Depth: 60-125. Every surface is encrusted with corals and sponges, and schools of fish of all size swarm the artificial reef. When you stay at Buddy Dive there are three options for diving: Resort diving, boat diving, and shore diving. This dive is an advanced level dive, even more so than the Duane due to its depth. Monterey Introduces The M225 To The Outboard Line Up, North to South: 10 South Florida Boating Destinations and the Miami International Boat Show, A Closer Look at the Diving Bell Spider: The Underwater Arachnid. She rests upright in 125 feet of water, according to the Interwebs, (although I stuck my dive computer on the bottom and only read 121) with the mast peaking at 60 feet; the deck can be observed at 100 feet. I kept my mind on my limited training. 19:39. And in those moments – as in the one I was currently experiencing – you just hope that that potential adversary decides to carry on its merry way. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Duane lies upright on a sandy bottom in 120 feet of water one mile south of Molasses Reef off Key Largo. Our website uses cookies to ensure a great experience. I had the chance to do some diving in the Keys with South Beach Divers and Captain Slate's Charter. Within a minute or so, the panic had retreated and I realized I’d come out the other side. Seeing that ghostly structure emerge from the depths is one of the most memorable and surreal moments I’ve ever had underwater. At some point while descending the line, I looked up and realized there was little if any discernible difference between what was above me and what was below. I looked straight in front of me and learned why. 650 Castro Street I imagined the human life that must have played out on the ship, with men running around on her decks, climbing the mast and peering from the very portholes that lured my eyes. The wreck sits in 125 feet of water with a top depth of 60 feet at the Crow’s Nest. What is the coolest shipwreck you have dived at? Our next dive spot on Shipwreck Trail in the Florida Keys is the Duane, a United States Cost Guard Treasury Class Cutter that was decommissioned in August of 1985 and donated to the Keys Association of Dive Operators. The Duane was a US Coast Guard Cutter sunk on November 27, 1987. Duane Dauphinee, an underwater archeologist and treasure salvager, reflects on the state of undersea treasure recovery at home in Williamswood, N.S. I don’t even recall breathing the entire time, but I must have. Dive Site: The Duane. When diving the Duane in Key Largo, you just might encounter some barracuda! The shark came within a few yards of me and the six other divers who were dangling helplessly on the line, then abruptly turned around and swam away. The Duane served in times of war and peace beginning in 1941 when she was sent to serve with the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Jewfish, cobia, nurse sharks and huge amberjacks are some of the other large fish that are often encountered here, while reef and coral fish such as parrots and angels live well on the amounts of coral. We also use third party cookies. Launched in 1936,… Diving the Duane on Vimeo A feeling of exhilaration ensued, as is normally the case after I conquer a fear. The hull of the Duane can be seen from above the water’s surface on a clear and sunny day. Oct 4, 2013 - This was my check out dive after not diving for 11 months (I guess I should point out this is normal for me. On April 17, 1943 she sank the German U-boat U-77 with the assistance of her sister ship, the Spencer. USCG Duane: Awesome Dive! If you’re looking to dive deeper, the superstructure deck is observable at 90 feet and then the main deck at 100 feet. Join Facebook to connect with Duane Mundy and others you may know. You hit the radar tower at 60 ft and the deck around 100. USCG Duane: Diving the Duane - See 187 traveler reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. But based on its size and the shape of its mouth, I feel pretty sure that what we’d seen was either a bull shark or a great white. Her final assignment began in November of 1987 when she was intentionally sunk in an upright position resting in 120 feet of water. This time I knew I wasn’t alone in my fear. When decommissioned, both were purchased as part of the Monroe County Artificial Reef program. All dive operators require either and Advanced Dive Certification with recent diving experience or to be able to show two eighty foot or deeper dives in your log book within the last 12 months. The Duane lies outside of the reef line and can have a ripping current. - See 187 traveler reviews, 18 candid photos, and great deals for Key Largo, FL, at Tripadvisor. Located very close to her sister, and being that she is on her side, the Bibb is passed over most of the time to dive the Duane. Alternative name USCG Duane. These vessels were named after former Secretaries of the Treasury Department. Her other famed efforts include rescuing 346 people at sea during 4 rescue missions as well as escorting thousands of Cuban refugees to the United States in 1980. Since I’m still here telling this story, it’s obvious that this large and beautiful beast didn’t choose me for its next meal. So the resort diving is technically shore diving, but Buddy Dive has a great setup. Her career began on June 3, 1936 as a search and rescue vessel. Nice advance dive that was worth it to experience the various coral, sponges, eels and Bull Sharks. Advanced divers Continue Reading Our next dive spot on Shipwreck Trail in the Florida Keys is the Duane, a United States Cost Guard Treasury Class Cutter that was decommissioned in August of 1985 and donated to the Keys Association of Dive Operators. The murky blue was completely enveloping me on all sides. The bow of the USCG Duane meets the mooring at about 100. Conditions were great for doing two dives on the Duane. It has been submerged since 1987. Now, of course, it was the marine life that was calling the ship home and nibbling at the coral and algae that enveloped much of the structure. Duane has 4 jobs listed on their profile. Within a matter of moments and emerging literally from the blue,  I could see the crow’s nest of the ship and, shortly thereafter, the entire span of the wreck. I recognized this fearful feeling, it was an old friend. To this day, I’m still unsure what kind of shark it was since I was pretty new to diving at the time. Diving the Duane. © 2020 All Rights Reserved. Then I decided to stop my descent and focus solely on my psychological issues. At the time however, of course, it felt like a pretty big deal. The animal was a good five or six times the size of any shark I’d seen (or so it appeared). Warning: JavaScript is disabled on your browser. While at the site you’ll be able to view the ships rudders, railings, ladders and ports. The majority of your dive will be done at 105 feet deep touring the main deck.As this wreck … It would be my deepest dive yet, and my first without an instructor by my side. More details. The US Coast Guard ‘Duane’ was a Treasury-class cutter with a length of 327 feet. The Duane was well prepared to … Duane Mundy is on Facebook. Customer Satisfaction Award Winner - 19 awards in 13 Years! Seeing this amazing wreck come into view as you descend is one of those dive experiences you will always remember. Unlike the Upright Duane, she lies on her side. At 60 feet, the mast and crow’s nest are visible while the navigating bridge is seen at 70 feet. Upon closer inspection you will realize this ghostly wreck is teeming with life. She eventually hopes to buy a sailboat and sail herself to all of her bucket-list diving destinations. Be prepared for a beautiful Wreck The USCG Duane is much smaller than the Spiegel Grove which provides an opportunity to see most of the ship in a single dive. Even though my experiences on this wreck had their difficulties, scares, and potential disasters, this is one dive that has taught me so much about myself, the ocean and diving in general. The USCG Duane was built as a cutter in 1935 and served for different purposes till 1985. She was sunk on November 27, 1987 one mile south of Molasses Reef in 120 feet of water. Great White while diving the Duane in Key Largo, Florida with a GoPro HD Hero 3 Black. As excitement and fear coursed through my body, the last thing I saw before I submerged into the water were the thumbs down signals from the other divers in my entourage. Please enable JavaScript and reload this page or call us instead. After being decommissioned on August 1, 1985, as the oldest active U.S. military vessel, the Duane was donated to the Keys Association of Dive Operators for use as an artificial reef. The guide and a couple of other dive teams were below me, and just behind me was my dive buddy and boyfriend. She lies upright in 125 feet of water. The USCG Duane (WPG 33) is one of the best Key Largo diving sites for advanced scuba diving certification. Average depth 20.0 m / 65.6 ft. Max depth 37.0 m / 121.4 ft. Current Medium ( 1-2 knots) Visibility Good ( 10 - 30 m) Quality. Its mouth was relaxed in a partially open position that revealed the jagged teeth within. In life, there are occasional moments where you face a potential adversary against which, you realize, you have no chance of winning. So the dive is 105 ft or deeper. Site Type: Wreck. The line felt large in my hands and was difficult to grip as I continued downward toward the goal, some 100 feet below: the deck of the USCGC Duane. Mountain View Visibility can be up to 100 feet at times. California 94041. During these times, the Duane is a stunning wreck dive with lots of clear water, marine life, and big swim-throughs on different deck levels. “I can do this,” I told myself. Week crowd . USCG Duane (Wreck) Stern Smoke Stack Bow She is a 327 foot Treasury class US Coast Guard cutter. The Duane was built in Philadelphia at a U.S. They have wooden lockers where you can hang your BCDs and other gear right by the water. She was sunk on November 27, 1987 one mile south of Molasses Reef in 120 feet of water. Shawn Dickens 682,431 views. Many consider the Duane to be the perfect wreck dive. The next thing I knew we had dropped onto the deck of the Duane, where we kneeled to check our air and other information. In fact, conquering my fears was something I deliberately sought to do. It took my breath away and from that moment on I was hooked on wreck diving. It was intentionally sunk in 1986 in Key Largo to create another artificial reef dive site in the area. Naval Yard in 1936. I realize now, after many more years of experience and education in the water, that the shark’s presence among us really wasn’t that much of a threat. Because of its deep depth and strong currents this is a dive for advanced SCUBA divers with wreck-diving experience. Diving Instruction in Richmond Hill on YP.com. With the second panic situation behind me, I resumed my downward movement with the others toward the deck of the Duane. The Duane is 300ft Coast Guard cutter. 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