The US Coast Guard Cutter Duane, photographed from a depth of 100′ off of Key Largo, FL. ©Don Bermant
One of the spectacular dive sites near our home port in Ocean Reef, Florida, is the US Coast Guard Cutter Duane. Launched in 1936 The Duane served a diverse and distinguished 49-year career from the South Pacific and Vietnam to Greenland and the Mediterranean. The Duane was decommissioned on August 1, 1985 as the oldest active U.S. military vessel. The cutter was deliberately sunk on November 27, 1987 to create an artificial reef about a mile south of Molasses Reef.
We have made one dive on The Duane and look forward to many more to explore this huge ship; in a single dive we examined only about one-half of her 327 ft. length (beam 41 ft). She rests upright in 118 ft. deep water with the main deck level at 100 ft.
Hey guys. What a fabulous dive site and especially appropriate with the holiday. I gather blue pearl still in area of ocean reef? Alex and I are in lyford key . We plan to leave the boat here for now and fly home on Monday. We stayed a few weeks on the hook at Sampson key , just relaxing and swimming. We did go as far as Georgetown but motored back to Sampson the next day and stayed on for a while . An idyllic vacation. Weather was perfect except for one night , a terrific storm passed through. The hook held so no worse for wear except for the extra grey hairs. 😜 Are you guys going to be in Alexandria any time soon? Where are you keeping blue pearl? We miss you. Xo susan.
Dear Denise and Don, What a gorgeous photo for the 4th of July!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Your photos continue to delight and amaze us. I hope you all had a wonderful 4th. We are looking forward to catching up again at OR.
Love,
pattie and Ed