United Caribbean

Fast Facts:

Average Depth: 45 ft. / 14 m
Max Depth: 73 ft. / 22 m

Features:

Artificial Reef
Wreck Site

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The United Caribbean, a 150-foot coastal freighter, was known as the Golden Venture when she ran aground in 1993 just 200 yards off the New York coastline while carrying 228 Chinese illegal immigrants. Each immigrant had paid $30,000 to be smuggled into the United States. Ten of these immigrants jumped overboard in an attempt to save themselves but drowned trying to swim to shore. This event brought media attention to the smuggling ring that was behind this operation and they were brought to justice.

After the immigration troubles, she was used briefly as a cargo boat in the Caribbean and renamed “United Caribbean.” When her owner was unable to pay the wages of its crew on the Florida to Haiti cargo run, the ship was left to rust in the Miami River. The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resource Management rescued her and sunk her upright 73-feet down to create an artificial reef.

United Caribbean was scuttled near the wrecks Noula Express and Sea Emperor south of the Boca Raton Inlet and about a mile offshore. She lies slightly southeast of the Sea Emperor with a 500 foot trail of concrete debris creating a pathway between the two wrecks. The ship’s profile is to about 45 feet. Much of the sea life from the Sea Emperor has branched off and inhabited this wreck as well. Divers have spotted jacks, yellowtail and barracudas.

The cargo area and upper decks of United Caribbean are good spots for beginning wreck divers to explore. A door leads into the lower decks. The lower areas should be explored only by advanced, experienced wreck divers.