Dive The Grey Ghost
The Grey Ghost Dive Video
The Grey Ghost History
The Grey Ghost was a former 110′ Navy tugboat.
The Job of The Grey Ghost
Details on exactly what job the Grey Ghost was are rare. So rare indeed that as of the time of this writing, we know more about her since she was sunk in Panama City Beach than before, but you can see that information below. It’s probably some, you know, tug boating stuff.
The Sinking of The Grey Ghost
Grey Ghost was sunk 22 miles offshore by Panama City Marine Institute’s Artificial Reef Program in coordination with Bay County and a federal grant on July 12, 1978. She landed on her port side in 105 to 110 feet of water and due to her location on the edge of a natural reef, she immediately attracted a huge variety of aquatic life.
Second Life of The Grey Ghost
The depth of the Grey Ghost makes this a dive for experienced divers. Most of the doors have been removed but divers should still take care to avoid penetration of the wreck without the proper equipment and prior training. For the first few years, several dive shops planned weekends near Halloween to insure a chance to make a night dive on the “GHOST”!
Date of Sinking: July 12, 1978
Depth
Length
Beam
Distance
Grey Ghost Coordinates:
30° 02.829’ N – 085° 05.556’ W
Late History Of The Grey Ghost
On July 12, 1978, as a kickoff to an ongoing artificial reef project, the GREY GHOST was intentionally sunk. Acquired by the Panama City Marine Institute (PCMI) through federal surplus property, this ex-Navy tug is 105 feet long, twenty feet wide and constructed of steel. At a cost of just $150 then cleaned and prepped as well as towed by volunteers this is probably been one of the most cost-effective projects ever completed. The Ghost was also the first intact vessel intentionally sunk offshore of Panama City as an artificial reef.
The PCMI reef team took several weeks to clean the hull for environmental inspection and to remove any floating hazards. After preparation, the GHOST was towed 21 miles almost due west of the jetties and laid to rest in 105 feet of water.
Lying solidly on her portside near some hard bottom, the GHOST quickly became popular with fish, fishermen and divers. The wreck has continued to serve as a breeding ground for fish and has attracted all types of marine life found in local waters.
The depth makes this a dive for experienced divers. Most of the doors have been removed but divers should still take care to avoid penetration of the wreck without the proper equipment and prior training. For the first few years, several dive shops planned weekends near Halloween to insure a chance to make a night dive on the “GHOST”! With more and more wrecks closer to the pass that tradition slowly went away.
The impact this wreck has had for almost fifty years on fishermen and divers is a credit to the artificial reefs and stands as an example of what can and should be done as an attempt to continue to nurture and develop the coast’s marine resources.
NOTE: This was the first artificial reef project that I participated in. Danny Grizzard
