Dive The Red Sea
The Red Sea Dive Video
The Red Sea History
Not a lot of history is known for the vessel other than it was built in Philadelphia in the 1970’s. It appears to have worked US waters for over twenty years then was sold to foreign owners.
The Job of The Red Sea
It is believed the Red Sea plied the waters of the United States as a work horse for twenty years before being sold to a foreign concern of unknown destination. However, it is known that the Red Sea had a mechanical failure in the Miami River en route to Venezuela after being sold (see more on this below).
The Sinking of The Red Sea
An agreement to buy and sink the Red Sea was reached with the owner in Key West and two five operation owners in Panama City Beach (Mike Gomez & Danny Grizzard | PCDC & FAMI respectively) and a $20,000 deposit secured the wreck in Panama City. This money had accumulated over several years of local dive shops contributing one dollar per boat customer and keeping a donation box on the counter in each store.
Second Life of The Red Sea
Finally in 2009 the Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council stepped in and provided the balance of funds needed to complete the project. On June 24, 2009 just a little over two years from the beginning the Red Sea settled to the bottom in just a little over 70 feet of water and has been a wonderful addition to the local wreck trail.
Date of Sinking: June 6, 2009
Depth
Length
Beam
Distance
Red Sea Coordinates:
29° 55.826’ N – 085° 50.109’ W
History Of The Red Sea Shipwreck
The Red Sea is truly a story of perseverance and many different people making it happen. Not a lot of history is known for the vessel other than it was built in Philadelphia in the 1970’s. It appears to have worked US waters for over twenty years then was sold to foreign owners. It was enroute to Venezuela when mechanical problems stopped her in the Miami River. This is a high traffic area and has been the source of many artificial reefs either through drug seizures or financial/mechanical issues. It was sold several times until an owner took her to Stock Island near Key West.
In Key West, the RED SEA came on the radar of Captain Mike Mayers of Atlantis Towing & Salvage. He presented the possibilities to Mike Gomez of PCDC in Panama City and Danny Grizzard of FAMI. An agreement was reached and a $20,000 deposit secured the wreck in Panama City. This money had accumulated over several years of local dive shops contributing one dollar per boat customer and keeping a donation box on the counter in each store.
Mike and Danny signed a not for the balance and began trying to raise the money. This was in early 2007. The local economy slowed over the next year and we began babysitting a floating project on which we still owed approximately $55,000.
Every storm was an issue, dockage was an issue, pumps were an issue, cleaning was an issue, it seemed everything was an issue. The City of Panama City allowed free dockage which would have cost thousands of dollars, a local tug boat company moved it for us several times because of events at the marina or storms. Capt. Bay County Reef Co-ordinator, Alan Golden provided guidance and even had the smokestack cut to allow more clearance.
Finally in 2009 the Panama City Beach Tourist Development Council stepped in and provided the balance of funds needed to complete the project. On June 24, 2009 just a little over two years from the beginning the Red Sea settled to the bottom in just a little over 70 feet of water and has been a wonderful addition to the local wreck trail.
