USS Curb

Fast Facts:

• Average Depth:  120 ft. / 37 m
• Max Depth: 185 ft. / 56 m

Features:

• Wreck Site
• Artificial Reef

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Located one mile south of the Cayman Salvager, this 300-foot naval salvaging tug is an artificial reef site. This ship was built in California and originally launched in 1943. After being involved in war-related missions and salvaging duties, she was decommissioned in 1946. She was purposely sunk on November 24, 1983, to foster the formation of a coral reef.

Currently, this ship lies upright in 185 feet of water. There are many opportunities for penetration but the interior is filled with fine silt that can be easily stirred up. This feature along with the close proximity to the shipping channel makes visibility variable. Although it is common to find high visibility, sediments and silt often challenge clear sight. Because of the care that was taken prior to sinking the USS Curb, openings allow divers to explore lower deck as well as rudders and shafts. It is important to note that there are several vertical surfaces as well as monofilament lines that make this dive potentially hazardous.

Due to the depth and difficulty of this dive, this site draws few divers. As a result, large fish such as jewfish and cobia often take an interest in humans and divers may have close encounters with some big fish. There are also large snappers, hogfish, tarpon, African pompano as well as tropical fish inhabiting the area.

The only form of diving that should be done on this site is decompression diving.