Page 1585 - Dive the Seas and More-2
P. 1585
SCOTCH BANK 30'-85' (8-26m) Beg. - orange buoy. Since this is the leeward
Int. Named for the dumped cargo of side of the island, it is usually calm. The
scotch from a grounded ship from the sandy bottom is surrounded by lobed star
1700's, this dive site features scattered corals. Garden eels, goatfish and southern
mounds of corals and sponges. Of note stingrays live in the sand.
are large elephant ear sponges, and also
the large variety and number of tropical ARMAGEDDON PLAIN 70'-115' (21-
Caribbean reef fishes. The outside wall 35m) Int. - Adv. Dive on jumbled pier
drops off steep and deep in typical St. pilings which were dumped here after the
Croix fashion. It is sometimes a drift dive. Fredriksted Pier was demolished by
Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Boats anchor
SWIRLING REEF OF DEATH/DAN'S atop TRUCK LAGOON, which is a pile
REEF 30'-40' (9-12m) Beg. This rich reef of Hess Oil trucks dumped here for a reef
is full of Caribbean fishes and in the 1970's.
invertebrates. Cleaner shrimp may try to
take care of your parasites if you sit still. BUTLER BAY WRECKS 20'-100'+ (6-
Contrary to the name, it is not notably 30m+) Int. - Adv. Boat in from
dangerous. Fredrikstead to a bay full of wrecks.
Divers may explore the following:
KING'S REACH REEF 45'-100' (14-
30m) Int. This is a sandy plain with an SUFFOLK MAID, a 123' (37.5m) English
anchorage area at 45' (14m) depth. Sand trawler, which was smashed in a 1984
is full of garden eels. The gradual slope is storm and sunk in 1985 at 45' (14m) depth.
covered in bright sponges of all types and
mountainous, star, brain, starlet, sheet, VIRGIN ISLANDER, a 300' (91m) oil
wire and lobed corals. barge sunk for reef in 1991. Note: Fire
coral likes the boat's flat surfaces.
FREDRIKSTED PIER 10'-50' (3-15m)
Beg. This is a particularly good night dive NORTHWIND (WISERVICE III), a 75'
at the rebuilt pier. Look closely for (23m) ocean tug, which was sunk in 1986
seahorses, spotted at 50' (15m) depth.
scorpionfish, and big silver tarpon.
Remnants of the old pier are still ROSA MARIA, a 177' (54m) Venezuelan
encrusted with amazing, colorful sponges. freighter, which capsized and was towed
Night divers will see lots of lobsters. upside-down to 110' depth and sunk in
1986, but it landed right-side-up on the
SPRAT HOLE 25'-55' (8-17m) Beg. bottom, and two people died in the sinking
Dive offshore from U.S. Naval Reserve at process. Super-structure is at 70' (21m)
Estate Sprat Hall. This dive drops down a depth range. Large barracuda like this
heavy warship chain tethered to a huge wreck.
