On May 28th 2012 the Nature Foundation was contacted by the Ocean Explorers Dive Centre who reported structural damage observed on the Carib Cargo Wreck Dive Site.
The Carib Cargo, also known as the Carib Ghost, is an approximately 30 meter wreck which sits upright in 45ft of water. It was reported that damage was caused to the Bridge of the Carib Cargo, which based on previous studies was the most structurally sound segment of the wreck and one which provided the most suitable substrate for marine habitat, including coral colonies and fish areas. The bridge of the Carib Cargo also provides a popular swim through for visiting dive tourists.
On May 28th 2012 Nature Foundation Marine Park Manager Tadzio Bervoets dove on the Carib Cargo using SCUBA to asses the damage. Significant structural damage was noticed on the bow, with some gashes located on the port side side of the bow. There was damage to the superstructure and numerous pieces of coral were found shorn off. Upon initial assessment it was determined that either a towing cable or a dragged anchor caused the damage to the wreck. Follow up assessment dives, using camera equipment, were carried out on the 29th and 30th of May with pictures taken of the damage. This is the second such incident to have occurred on the Carib Cargo, with the last incident having occurred on March 28th 2012.
Natu Nature Foundation recommendation:
1. Vessels transiting through the Marine Park should avoid close passage to dive sites
2. Wrecks (and additional dive sites within and outside of the Marine Park) should be listed as areas of conservation concern (please see attached list in Appendix)
3. Initiatives should be sought for restoration of dive sites that have received damage.
Table 1: Mooring Location list. Note Wrecks are highlighted in Blue
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Mooring Location List |
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Location |
Depth / Ft. |
Type of mooring |
Coordinates |
Status |
Working Depths |
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Molly Beday |
40 to 60 |
Sand Anchor |
18.01,361 63.00,040 |
In Operation |
57 |
6498 |
80.6 |
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Cow and Calf |
45 to 55 |
Sand Anchor |
|
In Operation |
53 |
5618 |
75.0 |
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Pelican Rock |
30 to 50 |
Sand Anchor |
18.01,123 63.01,237 |
In Operation |
44 |
3872 |
62.2 |
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Hen and Chicks |
20 to 70 |
Sand Anchor |
18.00,638 63.00,475 |
In Operation |
60 |
7200 |
84.9 |
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Fish Bowl |
40 to 55 |
Pin Anchor |
17.59.294 63.03.073 |
In Operation |
51 |
5202 |
72.1 |
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Mike’s Maze 1 |
45 to 60 |
Pin Anchor |
17.59,374 63.03,599 |
In Operation |
41 |
3362 |
58.0 |
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Mike’s Maze 2 |
45 to 60 |
Pin Anchor |
17. 59.498 63.03.073 |
In Operation |
43 |
3698 |
60.8 |
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Proselyte Reef 1 |
45 to 60 |
Pin Anchor |
17.59,347 63.03,571 |
In Operation |
42 |
3528 |
59.4 |
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Proselyte Reef 2 |
45 to 60 |
Pin Anchor |
17.59,378 63.03,525 |
In Operation |
47 |
4418 |
66.5 |
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Split Rock/Cable Reef |
45 to 60 |
Wreck Attachment |
17.59,524 63.03,313 |
In Operation |
47 |
4418 |
66.5 |
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Teigland |
45 to 65 |
Wreck Attachment |
15.59,378 63.03.525 |
In Operation |
69 |
9522 |
97.6 |
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Lucy’s Barge |
45 to 55 |
Pin Anchor |
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50 |
5000 |
70.7 |
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Carib Cargo |
60 to 70 |
Wreck Attachment |
17.59,619 63.04,204 |
In Operation |
45 |
4050 |
63.6 |
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Frenchman’s Reef 1 |
15 to 20 |
Pin Anchor |
18.00,495 63.05,485 |
In Operation |
23 |
1058 |
32.5 |
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Frenchman’s Reef 2 |
15 to 20 |
Pin Anchor |
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In Operation |
22 |
968 |
31.1 |
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The Bridge (Samson Reef) |
40 to 50 |
Wreck Attachment |
18.01,280 63.06,776 |
In Operation |
47 |
4418 |
66.5 |
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Isabella Reef |
70 to 80 |
Pin Anchor |
18.01,025 63.07.155 |
In Operation |
75 |
11250 |
106.1 |
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The Gregory (Stern) |
50 to 60 |
Wreck Attachment |
18.02,514 63.08,475 |
In Operation |
39 |
3042 |
55.2 |
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The Gregory (Bow) |
50 to 60 |
Pin Anchor |
18.02,511 63.08,456 |
In Operation |
47 |
4418 |
66.5 |
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Fuh Sheng |
100 to 110 |
Wreck Attachment |
18.02,370 63.08,733 |
In Operation |
100 |
20000 |
141.4 |
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One Step and Beyond |
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17.59,05 63.00,08 |
In Operation |
63 |
7938 |
89.1 |