Shipwrecks and Shell Games

On Saturday, ten divers joined Parrot Island Scuba for an outing that began at the Ancient Mariner wreck and continued with a gentle drift along Turtle Ledge. The day delivered ideal conditions—blue skies, smooth seas, and no hint of rain. Beneath the surface, the water was just as inviting, creating a calm and truly enjoyable experience.

Dive 1 - Ancient Mariner 

This weekend’s dive on the Ancient Mariner off Pompano Beach was nothing short of spectacular. Dropping in, the first 10 feet were a little hazy, but as soon as we cleared that layer, the water opened up to an incredible 70 feet of visibility. With zero current, the conditions couldn’t have been better.

The wreck itself has a fascinating past. Originally launched in 1934 as the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Nemesis, she spent decades patrolling the waters before later serving as a passenger vessel known as the Ancient Mariner restaurant ship. In 1991, she was intentionally sunk to become part of Florida’s artificial reef program, where she now rests upright in about 70 feet of water.
Today, the ship is teeming with life. The group witnessed, dozens of fireworms crawling across the weathered structure, schools of fish drifting just outside the hull. Inside the ship's belly, more fish swirled together in tight formation, using the shelter of the wreck as a safe haven.

With the calm seas, endless visibility, and the vibrant marine residents, this dive was a great introduction to the Ancient Mariner.

_{From left:  Rudy Lopez, Barbara Hoffman,  Evy Brow, Brian McDermott ,Steve Potanovic, Angelica Cookson, Cheryl Craft, Stephen Pie, Bruce Garber, Aaron Brooks}

^{Photo by Rudy Lopez}

Dive 2 - Turtle Ledge

After a well-earned surface interval, it was time to roll into our “drift” dive—though with the ocean as calm as a swimming pool, we weren’t entirely sure how much “drifting” was actually in the cards. Luckily, the sea offered just enough of a push to make it feel like we were being politely escorted down Turtle Ledge, as if the ocean itself was saying, “This way, please.”

Once below, the reef was buzzing with life. Schools of fish hung together under ledges, while a spotted eel peeked out from its hideaway, clearly unimpressed with our parade. A massive green moray made an appearance too, followed by hogfish on the hunt, curious trunkfish, elegant filefish, and trumpetfish in all shades of colors. Pretty much the full cast of reef regulars was in attendance—except, of course, a turtle, at the aptly named Turtle ledge. Maybe next time.

Photos by Steve Potanovic