Descent to the Duane's stern...about 105 feet
Radar Room
Dave at the radar mast/ crow's nest
Nitrogen is cool, hehehe
That would be me
Chillin' after the dive
HistoryThe Coast Guard Cutter Duane was sunk to continue it's service as an artificial reef, on Thanksgiving weekend of 1987. The Duane settled upright with a slight starboard list in 120 feet of water. The Duane was the most highly decorated Coast Guard cutter in the Navy's history. It served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
Site Description
The Duane wreck lies on a flat sandy bottom about 1 mile south of Molasses Reef outside the Sanctuary boundary. The site consists of the ship in its entirety, a 327-foot long Treasury Class U.S. Coast Guard Cutter. She is 41 feet abreast and her bow anchors are deployed at a 45 degree angle. She was sunk November 27, 1987 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as an artificial reef. Because she was sunk intentionally, she is found to be intact without an extensive debris field surrounding the wreck itself.
Situated
in a large, flat area covered mostly by sand and occasional coral patches,
the Duane lies outside the protection of coral reef formations and is
subject to strong Gulf stream currents. The site can offer exceptionally
clear water. Days with 200 foot visibility are reported, and the usual
range is from 30 to 80 feet.
The Duane's depth ranges from 65 feet at the crow's nest to 120 feet
at the bottom of the hull. The navigating bridge (70 feet) contains a
chart room, radar transmission area and the wheel chamber. The superstructure
deck, where the Commanding Officer's cabin and various storerooms are
found, lies at 90 feet. The main deck, at 100 feet, contains the crew's
quarters, carpenter shop and ships office.
Look for the circular hatch on the forward deck which marks the ammunition
storage area of a gun turret. When ascending you may want to visit the
ships crows nest or examine the empty wheelhouse.