The Captain Dan (formerly named Hollyhock) is a 175-foot long former U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender that was intentionally sunk as an artificial reef in February 1990. It lies upright on the seafloor in about 110 feet of water, with its wheelhouse at around 70 feet depth and its main deck at 90 feet.

Article at a Glance

• Location: 1.29 nautical miles offshore from Pompano Beach, Florida
• Depth: Maximum depth of 110 feet, with the main deck at 85-90 feet and wheelhouse at 65-70 feet
• History: Originally a 175-foot U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender, intentionally sunk as an artificial reef in 1990
• Dive Difficulty: Advanced dive site due to depth and potential strong currents
• Marine Life: Home to various species including Goliath groupers, barracuda, and colorful coral growth
• Wreck Features: Upright orientation with intact superstructure, offering opportunities for wreck penetration
• Accessibility: Popular dive site reached by a short boat ride from Pompano Beach, suitable for advanced open water and wreck divers

The Captain Dan Shipwreck Location Coordinates and Depth

Depth

The Captain Dan rests upright on the seafloor at various depths:

• The maximum depth to the sand is 110 feet (33.5 meters).
• The main deck sits at about 85-90 feet (26-27.5 meters).
• The top of the shipwreck superstructure (wheelhouse) is around 65-70 feet (20-21 meters) below the surface.

Location Coordinates

GPS Coordinates: The wreck is located at 2.38 nautical miles at a bearing of 167° from Hillsboro Inlet, and 7.80 nautical miles at a bearing of 021° from Port Everglades. It is approximately 1.29 nautical miles offshore from the Holiday Inn and Tiffany Towers.

What to Scuba Divers Say About This Ship

1. The wreck is in excellent condition, with the superstructure still largely intact, allowing for interesting penetration opportunities for properly trained divers.
2. The wreck is completely covered in colorful coral and inhabited by a wide variety of marine life, including barracuda, dolphins, turtles, and reef sharks.
3. The wreck’s significant relief from the seafloor and upright orientation make it a favorite for underwater photography.
4. Divers praise the wreck’s accessibility by boat from Pompano Beach, with the site being about a 10 minute trip offshore.
5. The wreck is considered an excellent dive for advanced open water and wreck divers, with the wheelhouse at 70 feet and the main deck at 90 feet.
6. Some caution that the current can be strong at times, so divers should have proper training and signaling devices.
7. One review mentioned the Captain Dan as part of an “awesome snorkeling trip”, suggesting it may be visible from the surface in some areas.

What Kind of Marine Life Can Be Found on The Ship

• Goliath groupers are commonly seen around the wreck. These large groupers are attracted to the structure and shelter provided by the ship.
• Barracuda are another frequent visitor to the wreck site. These predatory fish patrol the area in search of smaller fish.
• Dolphins have also been spotted in the vicinity of the Captain Dan. They may be passing through or hunting in the area.
• Sea turtles are known to frequent the wreck. The coral growth provides food and shelter for these reptiles.
• Reef sharks can sometimes be seen around the wreck. These smaller sharks are not typically aggressive towards divers.
• Snapper are common fish found on the wreck. The structure attracts baitfish which in turn draw in predatory snapper.
• Jacks are another type of predatory fish that congregate around the wreck.

Key Information

What Makes The Captain Dan a Unique Diving Experience

1. Intact Structure: The ship is largely intact, with its superstructure and main deck still standing upright on the seafloor. This provides an excellent opportunity for advanced wreck divers to explore the ship’s interior through large access holes cut into the hull.
2. Abundant Marine Life: The wreck is covered in colorful coral and sponges, attracting a wide variety of marine life. Divers can expect to see large animals such as Goliath groupers, barracuda, dolphins, turtles, and reef sharks.
3. Depth and Accessibility: The wreck is located at a reasonable depth, with the top of the wheelhouse at 65-70 feet and the main deck at 85 feet. This makes it accessible to advanced open water divers. The wreck is also relatively close to shore, about 1.29 nautical miles off Pompano Beach.
4. History and Significance: The Captain Dan has an interesting history, having been a U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender, an icebreaker, and even a missionary vessel. It was intentionally sunk in 1990 as part of the Rodeo Reef and renamed in memory of Captain Dan Garnsey, a local fishing pioneer.
5. Unique Features: The wreck’s upright orientation and the presence of large access holes make it an ideal site for wreck penetration. The strong current at times adds an extra layer of challenge and excitement for experienced divers.

What is The Full History of This Ship

Origins and Early Service

• The ship was originally commissioned as the Hollyhock, a 175-foot U.S. Coast Guard tender, in March 1937.
• It was built at the Defoe Boat and Motor Works in Bay City, Michigan.
• In 1959, the Hollyhock was moved to Detroit, Michigan where it was used as an icebreaker on Lake Michigan3.

Later Service and Decommissioning

• The ship later served in Miami, Florida and the Bahamas as a refueling vessel for U.S. Air Force seaplanes3.
• In 1982, the Hollyhock was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard3.

Missionary Ship and Sinking

• The decommissioned ship was purchased by a missionary group and renamed the Good News Mission Ship3.
• In February 1990, the ship experienced mechanical problems while on a mission and was towed to the Miami River.
• It was then sold to the Florida Boating Improvement Program to be sunk as an artificial reef.

Rebirth as Captain Dan Wreck

• On February 20, 1990, the ship was renamed the Captain Dan in memory of Dan Garnsey, a well-known Pompano Beach fisherman3.
• It was sunk in 110 feet of water off Pompano Beach as part of the Rodeo Reef project.

What Historical Features Can Still Be Identified on The Captain Dan Wreck

1. Intact Superstructure: The ship’s superstructure is largely intact, providing a clear indication of its former life as a U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender and icebreaker.
2. Access Holes: The wreck has large access holes cut into the hull, which were added to facilitate penetration by divers. These holes allow for safe and controlled exploration of the ship’s interior.
3. Wheelhouse and Deck: The wheelhouse is located at a depth of about 65 feet, and the main deck sits at approximately 85 feet. These features are still recognizable and provide a sense of the ship’s original layout.
4. Coral and Marine Life: The wreck is completely covered in colorful coral and inhabited by a wide variety of marine animals, including Goliath groupers, barracuda, dolphins, turtles, and reef sharks. This transformation into an artificial reef is a testament to the ship’s new life as a habitat for marine life.
5. Original Size and Shape: The Captain Dan is 175 feet long and 10 meters wide, which is still evident in its current state on the seafloor.

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Divers Visiting The Captain Dan

1. Depth and Skill Level Requirements:
   • The Captain Dan wreck is considered an advanced wreck dive, with the main deck at around 85-90 feet depth.
   • Divers are required to have at least an Advanced Open Water certification, or be under the direct supervision of an instructor.
2. Current Considerations:
   • The search results note that the current at the wreck site can be quite strong at times.
   • Divers are advised to have proper training and signaling devices in case they get swept off the wreck.
3. Wreck Penetration Precautions:
   • The wreck has large access holes cut into the hull to facilitate penetration by certified wreck divers.
   • Proper training and equipment are required for safe wreck penetration dives.
4. Dive Planning and Guidance:
   • Dive operators provide detailed information about the wreck’s location, depth, and marine life to help divers plan their dives.
   • Guided dive trips to the Captain Dan wreck are available, allowing divers to explore the site with an experienced guide.
5. On-Site Safety Features:
   • The wreck’s upright orientation and intact structure provide ample opportunities for divers to surface and decompress safely.
   • The relatively close proximity to shore (about 1.29 nautical miles) also allows for quicker emergency response if needed.

Dive Shops That Prove Diving Trips to This Shipwreck

1. Force-E Scuba Centers – Pompano Beach
2. Aqua Life Divers – Located at 2705 N. Riverside Drive, Pompano Beach, FL 33062
3. South Florida Diving Headquarters – Located at 101 N. Riverside Dr. Suite 111, Pompano Beach, FL 33062

South Florida Wrecks

• SS Copenhagen
• Captain Dan Wreck
• SS Arratoon
• Queen of Nassau
• USS Mohawk
• MV Castor
• Esso Bonaire III