Sinking the Sea Taxi in Miami
Posted by Brody on February 28, 2010On most days, the idea is to keep your ship afloat, but on December 30th of 2009, right before the end of the decade, the ship known as the Sea Taxi was towed to a spot off Key Biscayne and sunk, simultaneously changing its name to the Ophelia Brian. It became the biggest ship ever deliberately sunk to become an artificial reef in Miami-Dade County for the sport of scuba diving. This ship was originally constructed in 1965, forty-five years ago, by J.J. Sietas in Hamburg, Germany. The 210 foot vessel was christened Hoheburg, and has had a number of name changes over the years — the Marianne C., the Wilma, the Black Sea, the Ocean Breeze 1 — but ended its life above water as the Sea Taxi. Today, the Ophelia will serve as an artificial reef, which will provide another place for recreational diving, for eco tourism, even for fishing to the locals at home in Miami and the travelers in that city’s hotels. Previously, two other ships were sunk as artificial reefs — the Herbert Horn Type 458, sunk in 1984, and the Marie Horn Type 451, sunk in 1976. Below the surface of the water, their names changed, too, to Ultra Freeze and Deep Freeze.
These deliberately created wrecks will last for decades, and furnish a home for corals and marine fish, in addition to the opportunities made possible for fishing and diving. South Beach Dive and Surf is one of a number of sea diving companies that enable you to visit and explore these artificial reefs. You’ll find the PADI Five Star facility in the center of the fashionable South Beach area and within an easy walk to restaurants and hotels and other popular tourist sites. Established in 1995, they boast an experienced staff that will help you make your dives, according to your own level of experience. If you’re into diving, or know someone who is, this is an excellent way to explore a side of Miami most people don’t get to see, the world of Miami underwater!