Doc de Milly
Doc de Milly: Built in 1949 the Doc de Mille or Doc de Milly was built in Rotterdam, Holland and started life with the name Nuevo Rio. It was only later when she was to be sunk in March 1986 that the ship was renamed after a local veterinarian who died some months earlier in 1985.
This wreck is a fair distance from Miami located ¼ mile east of the Pacific Reef Lighthouse which means that this is usually a full day trip for this dive. As a result this wreck is not dived as often as other sites so remains un-spoilt.
This 287 foot long freighter is a deep dive and Miami diving centers will only take experienced deep divers to this spectacular wreck which sits upright and intact on the sea bed at a depth of 140 feet. One of the unusual stories behind the Doc de Milly sinking was the method used. Air Force bombers out of Homestead Air Force Base used concrete bombs for target practice eventually sinking the freighter providing the Air Force the opportunity for training whilst doing limited damage to the freighter and thereby creating another artificial reef and fantastic shipwreck dive.
Another unusual aspect of this dive site is that considering Hurricane Andrew did so much damage to other wreck sites around Miami the Doc de Milly remains intact and undisturbed even though it was in the direct path of the hurricane.
You will not explore this wreck in one dive due to its depth and size and it would take you several trips to truly explore what is a spectacular wreck site.
Miami Scuba Videos
One of the attractions of Miami scuba diving is that you will be able to take underwater photographs or underwater videos such as the one below. With excellent light and clear waters you will be able to get some excellent shots.
This video was taken at Doc de Milly and it gives you an idea of what to expect at this fantastic wrecki and what to expect diving off the Florida coast. (Press the button second right on the bottom of the video player to see it in full screen)..
Terence’s Log
The Doc de Milly is a great dive site for experienced deep divers. You will find the wreck intact and plenty to explore. You will have to dive this site more than once if you want to explore all of it because of its depth and its size.
There are some goliath groupers and plenty of other marine life at this site but it’s the wreck itself that is a thrill to explore.
Miami Dive Sites:
- Carysfort Lighthouse
- Carysfort Reef South
- Carysfort Trench
- Christ of the Abyss
- City of Washington
- Civil War Wreck
- Elbow Reef
- Sambo Reefs
- French Reef
- Fire Coral Cave
- Horseshoe Reef
- HMS Winchester
- Mike's Wreck
- Molasses Reef
- Molasses Reef Deep
- Molasses Reef North
- Nelsons Ledge
- North Dry Rocks
- North North Dry Rocks
- Permit Ledge
- HMS Winchester
- Thiorva Wreck
- Tonawanda
- Train Wreck or Tug and Barge
- USCG Bibb
- USCG Duane
- USS Spiegel Grove
- White Bank Gardens
- Windlass Wreck