The Grey Ghost has had a significant impact on the local diving and fishing community for almost fifty years. It’s considered an example of a successful artificial reef project that has helped nurture and develop the coast’s marine resources.

Article at a Glance

• Historical Origins: The Grey Ghost is a former 110-foot Navy tugboat that was intentionally sunk on July 12, 1978, to create an artificial reef off Panama City Beach, Florida.
• Location and Coordinates: Situated 22 miles offshore, the wreck can be found at coordinates 30° 02.829′ N – 085° 05.556′ W, lying at a depth of 105 to 110 feet.
• Acquisition and Cost: The Panama City Marine Institute acquired the vessel for only $150, making it a remarkably cost-effective artificial reef project.
• Preparation for Sinking: Before its sinking, the hull was cleaned, and floating hazards were removed to ensure diver safety and environmental compliance.
• Marine Ecosystem: Since its sinking, The Grey Ghost has attracted a diverse array of marine life, serving as a breeding ground for various fish species.
• Diving Experience: The wreck is considered suitable for experienced divers due to its depth and the potential hazards associated with wreck penetration.
• Significance: As the first intact vessel intentionally sunk as an artificial reef in the area, The Grey Ghost has had a lasting impact on local fishing and diving communities for nearly 50 years.

Shipwreck Location Coordinates and Depth

Depth

The wreck lies at a depth of 105 to 110 feet of water. It was intentionally sunk as an artificial reef on July 12, 1978, about 22 miles offshore of Panama City Beach, Florida.

Location Coordinates

The Grey Ghost is located at the following coordinates: 30° 02.829′ N – 085° 05.556′ W

What Do Scuba Divers Say About This Ship

Dive Experience

The Grey Ghost is considered a dive for experienced scuba divers due to its depth of 105 to 110 feet. This depth requires advanced skills and proper training to safely navigate.

Wreck Condition

• The ship lies on its port side near the edge of a natural reef.
• Most of the doors have been removed from the wreck.
• Divers are cautioned to avoid penetrating the wreck without proper equipment and training.

Marine Life

The Grey Ghost has become a thriving artificial reef:

• It quickly attracted a huge variety of aquatic life after sinking.
• The wreck has continued to serve as a breeding ground for fish.
• It has attracted all types of marine life found in local waters.

Historical Significance

• The Grey Ghost was the first intact vessel intentionally sunk offshore of Panama City as an artificial reef.
• For several years after its sinking, dive shops organized special night dives to the wreck around Halloween, playing on its ghostly name.

Impact on Local Diving

The Grey Ghost has had a significant impact on the local diving and fishing community for almost fifty years. It’s considered an example of a successful artificial reef project that has helped nurture and develop the coast’s marine resources.

What Kind of Marine Life Can Be Found on The Ship

Marine Life Abundance

The Grey Ghost has become a thriving artificial reef since its sinking in 1978. It quickly attracted a huge variety of aquatic life and has continued to serve as a breeding ground for fish over the decades.

Types of Marine Life

The wreck has attracted all types of marine life found in local waters. While specific species aren’t mentioned in the search results, we can infer that divers might encounter:

• Various species of fish, likely including both small reef fish and larger predatory species
• Invertebrates such as crabs, shrimp, and mollusks
• Possibly coral and other encrusting organisms that have grown on the wreck over time

Factors Contributing to Biodiversity

Several factors have contributed to the Grey Ghost’s rich marine ecosystem:

1. Location: The wreck is situated near the edge of a natural reef, which has helped attract marine life.
2. Depth: At 105-110 feet deep, the wreck provides a habitat for both shallow and deeper-water species.
3. Structure: As a 110-foot former Navy tugboat, the Grey Ghost offers plenty of nooks, crannies, and surfaces for marine life to inhabit.
4. Longevity: Having been on the seafloor for over 40 years, the wreck has had ample time to develop into a mature artificial reef ecosystem.

Key Information

What Makes The Grey Ghost Shipwreck a Unique Diving Experience

Historical Significance

1. It was the first intact vessel intentionally sunk as an artificial reef off Panama City Beach, Florida.
2. The sinking took place on July 12, 1978, making it one of the longer-standing artificial reefs in the area.

Physical Characteristics

1. The wreck is a former 110-foot Navy tugboat.
2. It lies on its port side in 105 to 110 feet of water.
3. Its location near the edge of a natural reef has enhanced its appeal to marine life.

Marine Ecosystem

1. The Grey Ghost quickly attracted a huge variety of aquatic life after sinking.
2. It has continued to serve as a breeding ground for fish for nearly five decades.
3. The wreck has attracted all types of marine life found in local waters.

Diving Experience

1. Due to its depth, it’s considered a dive for experienced scuba divers.
2. Most doors have been removed, but divers are cautioned against penetrating the wreck without proper training and equipment.
3. For several years after its sinking, dive shops organized special Halloween night dives to the wreck, playing on its ghostly name.

Long-term Impact

The Grey Ghost has had a significant impact on the local diving and fishing community for almost fifty years, demonstrating the positive effects of artificial reef projects on marine resources.

How Does The Grey Ghost Compare to Other Shipwrecks in Florida

Historical Significance

1. It was the first intact vessel intentionally sunk as an artificial reef off Panama City Beach.
2. Sunk in 1978, it’s one of the longer-standing artificial reefs in the area.

Physical Characteristics

1. The Grey Ghost is a former 110-foot Navy tugboat.
2. It lies on its port side in 105 to 110 feet of water.
3. Its location near the edge of a natural reef has enhanced its appeal to marine life.

Diving Experience

1. Due to its depth, it’s considered a dive for experienced scuba divers, setting it apart from shallower, more accessible wrecks.
2. Most doors have been removed, but divers are cautioned against penetrating the wreck without proper training and equipment.

Marine Ecosystem

1. The Grey Ghost quickly attracted a huge variety of aquatic life after sinking.
2. It has continued to serve as a breeding ground for fish for nearly five decades.

Cost-Effectiveness and Impact

1. The Grey Ghost was acquired and sunk at a remarkably low cost of $150, making it one of the most cost-effective artificial reef projects.
2. Its long-term positive impact on the local marine ecosystem and diving community demonstrates the success of artificial reef programs.

What is The Full History of This Ship

Origins and Early History

The Grey Ghost was a former 110-foot Navy tugboat. Unfortunately, details about its exact job and early history are scarce. As the source states, “we know more about her since she was sunk in Panama City Beach than before”.

Acquisition and Preparation

The Grey Ghost was acquired by the Panama City Marine Institute (PCMI) through federal surplus property. It was obtained at a remarkably low cost of just $150.

Sinking Process

1. The PCMI reef team spent several weeks cleaning the hull for environmental inspection and removing any floating hazards.
2. It was sunk on July 12, 1978, as part of an artificial reef project.
3. The sinking was coordinated by Panama City Marine Institute’s Artificial Reef Program in collaboration with Bay County and a federal grant.

Location and Position

1. The Grey Ghost was sunk 22 miles offshore of Panama City Beach.
2. It landed on its port side in 105 to 110 feet of water.
3. The exact coordinates are 30° 02.829′ N – 085° 05.556′ W.

Significance

1. It was the first intact vessel intentionally sunk offshore of Panama City as an artificial reef.
2. Due to its location near the edge of a natural reef, it quickly attracted a variety of marine life.

Impact and Legacy

1. The Grey Ghost quickly became popular with fish, fishermen, and divers.
2. It has served as a breeding ground for fish and attracted various types of marine life found in local waters.
3. For several years after its sinking, dive shops organized special Halloween night dives to the wreck.
4. The wreck has had a significant impact on fishermen and divers for almost fifty years, demonstrating the success of artificial reef projects.

What Historical Features Can Still Be Identified on The Grey Ghost Wreck

1. Overall structure: The Grey Ghost was a 110-foot Navy tugboat, so the general shape and size of the vessel should still be recognizable on the seafloor.
2. Port side orientation: The ship landed on its port side when sunk, so this distinctive positioning would likely still be evident.
3. Hull construction: As a steel-hulled vessel, major portions of the hull structure are likely to remain intact after decades underwater.
4. Deck features: While specific details aren’t provided, typical tugboat features like winches, bollards, or deck equipment mounts may still be identifiable.
5. Doorways: The search results mention that most doors have been removed, but the doorways themselves would likely still be visible in the ship’s structure.
6. Engine room: As a tugboat, it would have had a significant engine room, which may still be identifiable within the wreck.
7. Bridge area: The ship’s bridge or wheelhouse structure may still be recognizable, though likely deteriorated.
8. Propeller or propeller shaft: These robust components often survive well on shipwrecks.

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Divers Visiting The Grey Ghost

1. Depth restriction: The wreck lies at 105-110 feet, making it a dive for experienced scuba divers only. This depth limitation helps ensure only properly trained divers attempt to visit the site.
2. Door removal: Most of the doors have been removed from the wreck, reducing entrapment risks for divers.
3. Penetration warnings: Divers are cautioned to avoid penetrating the wreck without proper equipment and prior training. This helps prevent inexperienced divers from entering potentially dangerous enclosed spaces.
4. Artificial reef preparation: As an intentionally sunk artificial reef, the Grey Ghost was likely cleaned and prepared for diver safety, including:
   • Removal of loose objects
   • Taking away hatches and doors
   • Cutting out wiring and cables
   • Creating additional exit points in the hull
5. Environmental cleaning: To comply with regulations, the ship was likely diligently cleaned of contaminants before sinking, reducing risks from hazardous materials.
6. Location knowledge: The exact coordinates of the wreck are known (30° 02.829′ N – 085° 05.556′ W), allowing for precise navigation to the site.
7. Natural reef proximity: Its location near the edge of a natural reef may provide additional visual reference points for divers.

Dive Shops That Provide Diving Trips to This Shipwreck

1. Panama City Dive Center
   • Address: 4823 Thomas Dr, Panama City, FL 32408
   • Phone: (850) 235-3390
   • Website: https://www.pcdivecenter.com
2. Try Diving Fun
   • Phone: (850) 252-2623
   • Website: https://trydivingfun.com
3. Scuba Dive Panama City Beach
   • Address: 5505 Sun Harbor Rd Suite 69, Panama City, FL 32401
   • Phone: (850) 400-6469
   • Website: http://divepcb.com

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