This is one of many "drowned" sinkholes (freshwater sinks that were inundated by saltwater thousands of years ago when the ocean slowly spread it's domain across the low, flat Gulf region) that dot the sandy floor of the Gulf.

The entrance (25 feet in diameter) is in 110 feet of water. It plunges straight down to an unknown depth. The limited visibility is totally lost 100 feet down into the shaft. Of course, the depth just at the rim of the hole requires the skills of an experienced open-water diver with advanced training for the deaths. Lots of big fish inhabit the area.

Great wreck dive! On her final voyage, the 65-foot shrimper lived up to her name. She was scuttled by her crew while the Coast Guard was in hot pursuit. Floating bales of marijuana were all that marked her grave when the cutter arrived. Government divers found only one crew member. He was located below, with a bullet hole thorough his head. Modern pirates still live by her creed-of-old; "Dead men tell no tales."

The wreck is a beauty. She rests in 80 feet of water, listing slightly to starboard. Shrimp nets remain draped across her rigging.

A large barge was sunk on August 11, 1976. It is located 100 feet east of the center buoy. A pyramid shaped structure constructed of plastic covered with fiberglass, called a Japanese fish attractor , is located 200 feet due north of the North buoy. It must be working; a world's record Cobia of 88 pounds was caught here in 1982! Visibility averages 25 feet in summer. Bottom depths are 50 feet

http://utility.co.pinellas.fl.us/pcuweb/solidwaste
/reefconstruction/reefguide/ offshorereefs/
offshorereefdirectory.html

http://utility.co.pinellas.fl.us/pcuweb/solidwaste/
reefconstruction/reefguide /
offshorereefs/rube_allyn.htm
This reef is home for a large steel barge, a prefabricated Japanese reef unit, and numerous high profile pyramid structures. To find our "twin towers" start from the south buoy and head due north for two hundred feet. This will place you on a twin peak pyramid measuring about eighty feet long and fifty feet wide. The peaks of the pyramids are 18-20 feet high and the structure has a diameter of 95 feet. Other pyramids can be found 100 feet due east of the north buoy and on the southwest corner of the barge on the center buoy

http://www.divetampa.com/id69.htm
This reef has 3 major drop areas that are normally marked with buoys. The north area has concrete profile and some Japanese fish attractors. The center area has a barge and several boat molds. The barge has mostly decomposed and there is very little profile on it. There are several large culvert piles in the center area. The south area has the rubble from the old sand key bridge that was placed here in 1995. The sections of the bridge were kept intact and they are stacked up on top of each other in a very large area of 15-20 foot profile. When diving here there are great swim throughs where the sections are stacked. This area is very popular with fisherman especially during the spring and fall kingfish runs.

Rube Allyn Jr. was a fishing poineeer in the Tampa Bay area and the St. Petersburg Times outdoor columnist some 40 years ago. It is fitting this most diverse and abundant reef site is name in his honour. The central feature, a 110 foot barge sunk in August 1976, is fairly borken up northeast of this coordinate. Ther are giant culbert piles, scattreed pipe, boat molds, decks and tires. Many huge bridge slabs and rubble from Clearwtaer Beach were added in the early '90's. A natural ledge curves around the reef from the west to the the north. Every kind of bottom fish can be found near the ledge.

Tug Orange - a 93-foot tugboat built in 1903, is ready to become the newest addition in the Pinellas County Artificial Reef Program. Donated by Seabulk Towing, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seabulk International, Inc., the Orange has been stripped clean to prevent it from becoming a pollution hazard and passed its final U.S. Coast Guard cleanliness inspection last week. Weather permitting, the Orange will be towed out to the reef site Tuesday, April 8, and will be sunk in an area six miles north of the Tampa sea buoy, off St. Petersburg's beach at the County's South County Reef, in 40 feet of water at approximately 27º 43' N / 82º 58' W.
http://pubgis.co.pinellas.fl.us/pcuweb_live/general/press/pressreleases/03_04_09b.cfm

http://capmel.com/South_county_reef.htm
The second site on this reef is called the Tug Orange. The Tug Orange is an 80 foot steel-hulled harbor tug. The tug was donated to the Pinellas County Reef Program by Tampa Bay Towing, a Seabulk Marine Co. The tug was built in 1903 and was one hundred years old when sunk in April 2003. The tug was a fine workhorse of her day and performed many duties including pushing barges that carried railroad cars from yard to yard in the New York Harbor area. She was an assist tug pushing ships around Tampa Bay. The tug is located about 200 feet east of the yellow buoy that marks the center of the reef permit. The Tug Orange is oriented with the bow to the south, and on her port side. Pinellas County Utilities Reef Construction Program plans to place a mooring buoy on the Orange to make it easier for boaters to visit.

Pinellas South Reef. Coordinates, N 27*43.375 W 082*58.500 (Yellow Center Buoy)
Site One. Coordinates, N 27*43.370 W 082*58.540 (Culvert Piles and Mooring Buoy)
Tug Orange. Coordinates, N 27*43.375 W 082*58.450 (East of Yellow Center Buoy)

27.55670
14212.3

27.55360
14212.3

83.11125
44886.4

83.01240
44886.6

The wreck of the 110 foot US Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn is one of the Gulf's most popular dives. The Blackthorn's fate was international news in late 1981, when the cutter broadsided by a freighter in one of the channels of Tampa Bay. Twenty two of her crew members lost their lives in the collision. Her hull, damaged far beyond repair, was towed to the Pinellas @2 Artificial Site and scuttled.

The huge mass of steel quickly attracted sea life as well as hundreds of divers each year. The rather shallow depths of the large wreck (30 feet to her upper decks; 80 feet to the ocean floor) afford an opportunity for less experienced divers to visit a wreck. Penetration of her inner chambers is not recommended because of the inherent dangers of all intact wrecks (lack of light; sharp, broken fitting; mazes of passages that easily disorient the diver; and silt). The broken remains of a 250 foot barge, tires and other debris lie nearby

The U.S.Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn is our most famous wreck. The 180 foot buoy tender collided with the tanker Capricorn and sank just west of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the Egmont Channel on Jan 28, 1980. Of the 50 Coast Guard crewmen, 23 died. Later in the summer of 1981 it was deployed as an artifical reef on the Pinellas II site. The Blackthorn has rolled to port and broken into three major pieces. The awesome force of a storm in March 1993 moved the superstructure southwest of the bow, an easy swimn but not visible from the bow. The fishing has improved as the debris and collapsed plates of the hull have created habitat. The large Florida Seafood barge and a ledge are a three-minute swim on 320-degree heading from the valley by the Blackthorn's rudder.

A hot new dive! The Sheridan is a 180 foot ocean going tug sunk in 75 feet of water. She sits upright with her prop intact. The tug is surrounded by concrete culverts and tires.

http://www.sunshinescuba.net/logit.htm

The Sheridan tug is the most intact wreck on our coast, sitting upright and looking much like it did in November 1986, when it was put down. It lists to starboard about 45 degrees and its stack has compacted some. The wheelhouse is frequently filled with massive jewfish. The 40-foot relief of this wreck attracts tremendous schools of bait and large predators that feed on them. Large amberjack - 50~90 pounds - have been taken here by spearfishermen.

The Table Top is a plateau over 200 feet in diameter that rises seven to eight feet from the sand. Large undercuts filled with sea life are interesting to explore

The wreckage of a large steamer lies in 60 feet of water. Her hull is split in half and rises only 20 feet off the flat sea floor.

A large area marked by four buoys. Clearwater Reef is one of the largest and most popular artificial reef sites in the area. Depths range from 27 to 29 feet. The reef was started on June 2, 1965 with an initial drop of 75 specially constructed concrete pillboxes.; Additional drops provided at least 45,000 tires. Several steel barges are located in the center of the area. Although this is the oldest reef, the marine population was killed during a red tide outbreak in August 1974. The reef cycle began to renew after the kill. A large variety of Tropicals make their home among the rubble. Game fish such as snapper and hogfish are common, as well as some lobster. Spearfishing is popular

This artificial reef area is marked by buoys on its northern and southern ends. The northern buoy is near a natural rock ledge. Concrete culverts are scattered to ht south for 300 feet. There are plenty of game fish, and Snook are often seen in the summer months. Depths range from 25 to 30 feet.

Broken wreckage of what was probably a WWII transport lies in 50 feet of water. Only the fuselage remains intact.

A tall, long ledge section that rises eight feet from the bottom and runs for over a mile and a half, this is a popular dive because of the formations size and the extensive marine growth of the rock outcropping. There are many deep crevices and undercuts offering plenty of hiding places for marine life. Shelling is good along the ledge. Helmet shells and large conch are commonly found.

The south buoy marks the beginning of the artificial reef. The north buoy is over natural rock ledges. The artificial reef material, including concrete culverts, start north of the southern buoy. Depths range from 26 to 28 feet.

A large 105 foot tug and the 80 foot barge she was towing went down in 85 feet of water during high seas. The tug, mostly intact, rests upside down on her superstructure. A jeep lies nearby. The barge came to rest less that a mile to the north.

This artificial reef area is marked by buoys on its northern and southern ends. The northern buoy is near a natural rock ledge. Concrete culverts are scattered to ht south for 300 feet. There are plenty of game fish, and Snook are often seen in the summer months. Depths range from 25 to 30 feet.

Four 200 foot barges were sunk in 25 feet of water. One barges is at buoy "p'; another, 1,500 feet directly north at buoy 'S'/ Cement culverts are scattered between the middle barges. There is a lot of fish activity around the wrecks. Jewfish, Cobia, Sheepshead and snapper frequent the area. Flounder are common in flat sand areas surrounding the reef. There is good spearfishing here.

The broken remains of a barge lie near buoy 'C' in 30 feet of water. Several two foot high rock ledges run near buoy 'O'. The area is alive with fish life. Lobsters are often pulled from the ledges. Sea whips, sponges and fire coral are common.

http://utility.co.pinellas.fl.us/pcuweb/solidwaste
/reefconstruction/reefguide/ offshorereefs/
offshorereefdirectory.html

http://utility.co.pinellas.fl.us/pcuweb/solidwaste/
reefconstruction/reefguide /
offshorereefs/rube_allyn.htm
This reef is home for a large steel barge, a prefabricated Japanese reef unit, and numerous high profile pyramid structures. To find our "twin towers" start from the south buoy and head due north for two hundred feet. This will place you on a twin peak pyramid measuring about eighty feet long and fifty feet wide. The peaks of the pyramids are 18-20 feet high and the structure has a diameter of 95 feet. Other pyramids can be found 100 feet due east of the north buoy and on the southwest corner of the barge on the center buoy

http://www.divetampa.com/id69.htm
This reef has 3 major drop areas that are normally marked with buoys. The north area has concrete profile and some Japanese fish attractors. The center area has a barge and several boat molds. The barge has mostly decomposed and there is very little profile on it. There are several large culvert piles in the center area. The south area has the rubble from the old sand key bridge that was placed here in 1995. The sections of the bridge were kept intact and they are stacked up on top of each other in a very large area of 15-20 foot profile. When diving here there are great swim throughs where the sections are stacked. This area is very popular with fisherman especially during the spring and fall kingfish runs.  

http://136.174.187.14/bcc/reef/informat.htm - the reefs in Pinellas county
This particular reef is marked by two World War II Navy Landing Ships (LSMs) and a salt hopper barge. The 200-foot plus LSMs were filled with scrap cable and sunk with explosives by the US Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team from Cecil Field Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. One LSM can be found 100 feet east of the south buoy, while the other LSM is located 100 feet west of the center buoy. A more recent addition, placed in 1984, is a 240-foot salt hopper barge. It can be found resting in an inverted position, approximately 200 feet southwest of the north buoy.

http://utility.co.pinellas.fl.us/pcuweb/solidwaste/
reefconstruction/reefguide/ offshorereefs/
madeira_beach_reef.htm
http://136.174.187.14/bcc/reef/indian_shores_reef.htm
This particular reef is marked by two World War II Navy Landing Ships (LSMs) and a salt hopper barge. The 200-foot plus LSMs were filled with scrap cable and sunk with explosives by the US Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Team from Cecil Field Naval Air Station in Jacksonville. One LSM can be found 100 feet east of the south buoy, while the other LSM is located 100 feet west of the center buoy. A more recent addition, placed in 1984, is a 240-foot salt hopper barge. It can be found resting in an inverted position, approximately 200 feet southwest of the north buoy.

http://tampa.about.com/library/fish/blindianreef.htm
Also known as 'ship reef'', the Indian Shores reef is comprises of 3 downed ships. Two are WWII Landing Ships, each are over 200 feet in length. One can be found about 100 feet east of the south buoy, and the other is 100 feet west of center buoy. The third ship, a 240 foot salt hopper barge, was sunk (landed inverted) 200 feet southwest of the northern buoy.

http://tampa.about.com/library/fish/blreefmain.htm - short but sweet descriptions of the reefs off of Pinellas county.

http://www.trekflorida.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/TrekFlorida.woa/wa/story?section=SCU&story=Caution%20is%20cool
1) CRYSTAL RIVER: One of most popular freshwater dive sites in the world. Water is 72 degrees year round, bringing in manatees when air temperatures drop.

2) HOMOSASSA RIVER: Seven miles south of Crystal River. Also a manatee hot spot. Depths of 12 feet and visibility of 20 to 30 feet.

3) CHASSAHOWITZKA RIVER SPRINGS: Fourteen miles south of Crystal River. Fed by more than a dozen freshwater springs.

4) JOE'S SINK: Offers some of the coldest freshwater diving in state. Peanut-shaped sink has two non-connecting holes. Natural light vanishes at 30 feet. Should be attempted only by divers with low visibility, cavern or cave training.

5) WEEKI WACHEE RUN: There are no boats for rent here, so bring your own. Go to property line near Weeki Wachee and snorkel or drift-dive back downstream.

6) HUDSON GROTTO: Typical Gulf Coast sink that resembles a pond. Walls lunge to 110 feet. Daylight lost at 50 feet; for divers with advanced certification only. Good training dive for beginners (under supervision of a divemaster or instructor) to get deep-water experience. Commercially operated by Scuba West in Hudson. Call (813) 863-6911.

7) TUGBOAT AND BARGE: Large 105-foot tug and 80-foot barge it was towing sank in 85 feet of water during high seas. Tug rests upside down, barge a mile north.

8) SHERIDAN AND BLACKTHORN: Wreck of an 180-foot ocean-going tug is one of Gulf Coast's most spectacular dives. Tug sits upright in 80 feet of water. Barracuda frequent superstructure. The Black Thorn, a Coast Guard Cutter damaged by a freighter in a 1981 accident that cost 22 lives, rests near by.

9) MEXICAN PRIDE: Large 200-foot wreck rests in 120 feet of water. Should be attempted only by experienced divers.

10) BETTY ROSE/PERMIT BARGE: Seventy-five-foot barge, now mostly broken up, lies in 45 feet of water. Very active. Lots of marine life. Beware of fishermen trolling for kingfish.

11) TRAMP STEAMER AND 10-FATHOM WRECK: Broken remains of a 150-foot tramp steamer in 60 feet of water. Plenty of hogfish, barracuda, jacks.

12) GUNSMOKE: Sixty-five-foot shrimper was scuttled in 80 feet of water by her crew while Coast Guard was in pursuit. Lots of local lore, including tales of modern-day pirates, make this an interesting wreck dive.

Sources: Florida Shipwrecks by Daniel & Denise Berg, Ned DeLoach's Diving Guide to Underwater Florida, the Tackle Shack of Pinellas Park.

http://www.reeloutdoor.com/reefs.htm - Reefs o-plenty

http://www.artificialreefs.org/ARsites/arsites.htm - Reefs o-plenty

Originally published April 26, 1997

About 100' off the beach, lies the scattered remains of a 75ft barge, sunk during a sudden storm in the 1940's. This is a favorite dive of ours, not just because the the plenitfulness of fish and shells, but it is just across from street from the SEA TREK DIVE SHOP. With easy access to air refills and the nice beaches of the west coast you can make a day of this site.

http://www.floridashoredivers.com/site.html

The first one I'll tell you about is the "Sugar Barge": She used to sit 100 yards off the beach and was fairly tidal as far as visibility, but now after the beach renourishment project she's only fifty yards offshore. In this new location,she is best dived on an incoming tide with very smooth water conditions and wind to an absolute minimum from the east. Any surface chop, of course, can lower the visibility considerably.If you have trouble locating her she sits under the permanent buoy and is directly across the street from Seatrek Divers. She's a 75-foot barge with an intact boiler. The bow and other pieces of the wreck are scattered in 20 feet of water. Some of the broken remains are close enough to the surface to allow the snorkeler in your family the excitement of checking out the wreck. Octopus and small fish are abundant. I've often had excellent visibility here and enjoyed playing with numerous small octopuses.

http://www.sunshinescuba.net/dive_free.htm

Just 10 yards out from the third groin starts a beautiful 2 to3 foot broken ledge. On a calm morning dive I've been greeted in the shallows by the grapefruit sized bashful crabs. I Watch as they scurry in and out of the sand, first uncovering themselves, snatching a bit of food then covering themselves again. Being beige and sporting large purple spots I can see how hiding is a good idea to keep them off the morning breakfast menu. It's always easy to find the reef - take a due west heading on your compass till you reach the small broken ledge,then a northern trek will complete the navigation. The rest of the way is just a matter of "follow the color." As you traverse along the broken reef you can reach areas as deep as 30 feet. As with the Sugar Barge, diving at Cortez allows you mucho bottom time.

Speckled along the shallow reef, fish as brightly colored as jewels dart in and out of the small crevices. If you have never seen the beauty of a red or black grouper as a juvenile you've got to dive this spot. The red grouper are small red / orange fish with black spots, while their black counterparts sport yellow / green coloration with black spots. There are some truly wild colors and patterns to behold in these soon-to-be giants of the reef. Small goatfish fluff the sandy areas with their barb whiskers. Tiny reef butterflyfish play in pairs along the broken rubble. Since these delicate beauties mate for life, I can't help but wonder if these are brother and sister or a newly paired mating couple.

The algae that grow closest to the sun's penetrating rays are vivid greens, yellows and reds - they also form tight groups so as to look like an underwater jungle. I watch as a 50-cent piece sized yellow tang darts in and out of its hole. Hermit crabs both red and green legged forage for a mid morning snack in the vegetation. Sand dollars dot the sand and mark the way from one breakdown to the next. Gently turning over rocks to see what is under them, I come across a snapper shrimp- he's showing his mating colors of deep orange and yellow with a large red and blue claw. Some call him a popper shrimp or bulldozer shrimp because of the constant rearranging of the sea floor to better make a comfortable home for himself. The odd thing is that he never seems satisfied with his furnishings. I was absolutely delighted with this wonderful find. I always remember to return the rocks to their original place and position to ensure the health of the area I've investigated.

On my way back to shore I notice a small octopus hiding just outside an old Pepsi can. I want to remove the litter from this seascape, yet as I reach for the can I realize that"Mr. Eightlegs" has rented it for a new modern home. So much for taste in housing.

http://www.sunshinescuba.net/dive_free.htm

The last area I will tell you about is the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Now I know lots of you out there go stone crabbing around the Skyway, but did you know that on the southeast side there is a long stretch of hard bottom that is home to a variety of special creatures? Some of the marvels to be found here include the peppermint shrimp, the scarlet dancer shrimp and the beautiful rainbow wrasse. Spadefish - the black and white beauties a lot of folks call"angelfish" - are plentiful. I've also found green parrotfish here. Perhaps most surprising of all, I found hard corals living in Tampa Bay! Moon and star corals seem to be the most hardy. Anywhere there is water the potential for a great dive site awaits. Check with the old timers, the locals and especially the hold-timer locals. Also be sure to check the laws and safety from the marine patrol. But enjoy being in our great area--- it's free and its for me.and you. and all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.sunshinescuba.net/dive_free.htm