The Captain Tony wreck as a worthwhile dive site, combining rich marine life, historical significance, and good accessibility.

Article at a Glance

1. Wreck Overview: The Captain Tony, originally named M/V Becks, is a 195-foot Dutch freighter that was intentionally sunk in 1996 to create an artificial reef off the coast of Boca Raton, Florida.
2. Historical Significance: The wreck is named in memory of Captain Tony Townsend, a local dive charter captain who tragically lost his life in a boating accident shortly before the ship was sunk.
3. Diving Depth: The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 85 feet, making it accessible for intermediate divers and part of a popular “Wreck Trek” dive route that includes other nearby wrecks.
4. Marine Life: Divers can expect to see a vibrant array of marine life, including barracuda, goliath groupers, various snapper species, and colorful tropical fish, making it a lively dive site.
5. Safety Measures: The Captain Tony wreck is designed for safe diving, with depth limitations, local operator briefings, and emergency protocols in place to ensure diver safety.
6. Dive Shops: Several dive shops in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach area offer trips to the Captain Tony wreck, including Force-E Scuba Centers and South Florida Diving Headquarters.
7. Unique Experience: The combination of historical significance, rich marine biodiversity, and accessibility makes the Captain Tony shipwreck a unique and sought-after destination for divers exploring Florida’s underwater world.

Shipwreck Location Coordinates and Depth

Depth

The wreck sits in approximately 85 feet (26 meters) of water.

The wreck has a relief of about 20 feet (6 meters) from the sea floor.

Location Coordinates

• Latitude: 26° 28.870′ N
• Longitude: 80° 02.350′ W

What Do Scuba Divers Say About This Ship

• Marine Life: Divers frequently mention the abundant marine life surrounding the wreck. The Captain Tony, along with nearby wrecks, attracts a variety of fish species, making it a vibrant underwater ecosystem. This aspect is particularly appealing to divers looking for a lively diving experience.
• Wreck Condition: The wreck is noted for being upright and well-preserved, which enhances the diving experience. Divers appreciate the structural integrity of the wreck, allowing for safe exploration and penetration for those with the appropriate skills.
• Accessibility: The Captain Tony wreck is part of a “Wreck Trek” dive route, which connects it to other nearby wrecks like the Budweiser Bar. This makes it convenient for divers to explore multiple sites in one trip, with a manageable swim distance of about 600 feet between wrecks.
• Diving Depth: At a depth of 85 feet, the Captain Tony is considered accessible for divers with intermediate training. Many divers recommend using Nitrox to maximize bottom time, especially when exploring the wreck and its surroundings.
• Historical Significance: The wreck has a poignant backstory, named in memory of Captain Tony Townsend, a local dive charter captain who tragically lost his life. This history adds an emotional connection for divers who visit the site.

What Kind of Marine Life Can Be Found on The Ship

Fish Species

• Barracuda: Large schools of barracuda are frequently spotted around the wreck5.
• Goliath Grouper: These massive fish, some 4-6 feet long, have made their homes in the wreck1.
• Other Grouper Species: Black grouper are often seen in the vicinity5.
• Jacks: Schools of jacks are common around the wreck1.
• Snapper: Various species of snapper inhabit the area1.
• Tropical Fish: A diverse array of colorful tropical fish species can be observed1.

Other Marine Life

• Stingrays: Some divers report hand-feeding stingrays near the wreck1.
• Eels: Green moray eels are often spotted, sometimes free-swimming on the top deck5.
• Soft Corals: The wreck is covered in soft corals, providing habitat for smaller marine life1.

Seasonal Visitors

• Goliath Grouper Aggregations: Between August and September, goliath groupers gather at the wreck for spawning1.

Key Information

What Makes The Captain Tony Shipwreck a Unique Diving Experience

Location and Accessibility

• It’s part of a “Wreck Trek” dive route, connecting it to other nearby wrecks like the Budweiser Bar and Castor6.
• The wreck sits in 85 feet of water, making it accessible for intermediate divers1.
• Its proximity to other wrecks allows divers to explore multiple sites in one trip.

Historical Significance

• The wreck was renamed in memory of Captain Tony Townsend, a local dive charter captain who tragically lost his life1.
• It was purposely sunk in 1996 as part of Palm Beach County’s artificial reef program1.

Marine Life

• The wreck has become a thriving artificial reef, attracting diverse marine life.
• Divers often encounter:
  • Large schools of barracuda
  • Goliath groupers, some 4-6 feet long
  • Various species of snapper and jacks
  • Colorful tropical fish

Wreck Features

• The ship is 195 feet (59.1 meters) long, providing ample area to explore5.
• It has a relief of about 20 feet (6 meters) from the sea floor5.
• The wreck is well-preserved and sits upright, enhancing the diving experience.

Diving Experience

• The swim between Captain Tony and nearby wrecks takes about 7-10 minutes, offering an exciting multi-wreck dive6.
• Many divers recommend using Nitrox to maximize bottom time, especially when exploring multiple wrecks6.
• The wreck’s structure and marine life make it appealing for both recreational divers and underwater photographers.

How Does The Captain Tony Compare to Other Shipwrecks in Florida

Age and Historical Significance

• The Captain Tony is a relatively modern wreck, sunk intentionally in 1996.
• Many of Florida’s famous shipwrecks are much older, dating back to the Spanish colonial period (16th-18th centuries) or World War II era.
• Unlike historical wrecks that offer insights into colonial trade or wartime events, the Captain Tony represents modern artificial reef creation efforts.

Purpose

• The Captain Tony was deliberately sunk as part of an artificial reef program.
• Many other Florida wrecks are accidental, resulting from hurricanes, wars, or navigational errors.
• This intentional sinking aligns it more closely with other modern artificial reefs in Florida rather than historical shipwrecks.

Accessibility and Diving Experience

• At 85 feet deep, the Captain Tony is accessible to intermediate divers.
• It’s part of a “Wreck Trek,” allowing divers to visit multiple wrecks in one trip.
• Many historical wrecks in Florida are in much deeper water or have been heavily salvaged, making them less accessible or interesting for recreational divers.

Marine Life

• Like other artificial reefs, the Captain Tony has developed a rich ecosystem, attracting various fish species and marine life.
• This abundance of marine life is comparable to both natural and artificial reefs in Florida waters.

Preservation and Structure

• Being a relatively recent and intentionally sunk wreck, the Captain Tony likely maintains more of its original structure compared to older, naturally occurring wrecks.
• This intact structure provides a different diving experience compared to heavily deteriorated historical wrecks.

Cultural and Educational Value

• While the Captain Tony lacks the historical significance of colonial-era wrecks, it serves as an educational tool for marine ecology and artificial reef development.
• It doesn’t offer the same archaeological or historical insights as older wrecks, but it provides a valuable study in how quickly marine ecosystems can develop around artificial structures.

What is The Full History of This Ship

1. The ship was sunk on October 22, 1996 in 85 feet of water off the coast of Boca Raton.
2. It was renamed “Captain Tony” in memory of Captain Tony Townsend, a local dive charter captain who was tragically killed by a drunken boater just before Thanksgiving in 1996.
3. The sinking of Captain Tony was part of Palm Beach County’s artificial reef program. It became the county’s 29th artificial reef system.
4. The ship was 35 years old at the time of its sinking, which would place its construction around 1961.
5. It now rests near two other wrecks in the area:
   • The 150-foot Budweiser Bar, sunk in 1987
   • The 65-foot Swordfish, sunk in 1992
6. Currently, the wreck sits in two large pieces: the bow to the south and the stern to the north.
7. The Captain Tony and the Budweiser Bar wrecks are connected by boulders placed by Palm Beach County, creating an interesting dive route between the two.
8. Since its sinking, the Captain Tony has become a popular dive site, known for attracting diverse marine life including barracuda, groupers, and various tropical fish species.

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

Structural Elements

• The wreck sits upright on the seafloor, allowing divers to observe its overall ship structure.
• It’s broken into two large pieces: the bow section to the south and the stern section to the north.

Ship Components

• The ship’s superstructure is likely still visible, given its relatively recent sinking (1996) and intentional preparation as an artificial reef.
• Divers may be able to identify key ship features like the deck, hull, and possibly remnants of the wheelhouse.

Artificial Reef Additions

• Concrete rubble piles connect the Captain Tony to the nearby Budweiser Bar wreck, placed there intentionally as part of the artificial reef program.
• These rubble piles are a distinct feature that divers can observe, highlighting the ship’s role in the larger artificial reef system.

Size and Scale

• At 195 feet (59.1 meters) long, the full extent of the ship’s size can still be appreciated by divers.
• The wreck has a relief of about 20 feet (6 meters) from the sea floor, giving it a significant vertical profile.

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Divers Visiting the Captain Tony

1. Depth Limitations: The wreck sits at a depth of about 85 feet (26 meters), which is within the range of recreational diving limits. This depth allows for safer diving compared to much deeper wrecks.
2. Artificial Reef Design: As an intentionally sunk artificial reef, the Captain Tony was likely prepared to be diver-friendly, with potential hazards removed before sinking.
3. Wreck Trek System: The Captain Tony is part of a “Wreck Trek” dive route, connecting it to other nearby wrecks. This system likely includes:
   • Guideline connections between wrecks
   • Concrete rubble piles linking the wrecks, providing navigation aids
4. Dive Planning Recommendations:
   • Use of Nitrox (EAN 36) is recommended to maximize bottom time safely.
   • Suggested dive times and routes are provided (e.g., 7-10 minutes swim between wrecks).
5. Structural Integrity: The wreck is reported to be in two large pieces (bow and stern), which suggests it has been assessed for stability and diver safety.
6. Local Dive Operators: Experienced local dive operators familiar with the site likely provide briefings and guidance on safe diving practices specific to this wreck.
7. Visibility: The area generally offers good visibility, which enhances diver safety.
8. Marine Life Awareness: Divers are likely briefed on the presence of large marine life like goliath groupers and barracuda, ensuring respectful and safe interactions.
9. Dive Training Requirements: While not explicitly stated, there are likely recommended minimum certification levels for diving this wreck, ensuring divers have appropriate skills.
10. Emergency Procedures: Local dive operators and boats visiting the site would have established emergency protocols and equipment on hand.

Dive Shops That Provide Diving Trips to This Shipwreck

1. Force-E Scuba Centers – Boca Raton
   • Address: 2621 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33431
   • Phone: (561) 368-0555
   • Website: https://www.force-e.com/dive-shops/boca-raton/
   • This dive shop is specifically mentioned in the search results and is located in Boca Raton.
2. The Diversity
   • Website: https://thediversity.com
   • This dive charter company mentions the Captain Tony wreck specifically in their list of dive sites.
3. South Florida Diving Headquarters
   • Website: https://www.southfloridadiving.com
   • They offer trips to the Wreck Trek Boynton, which includes the Captain Tony wreck.

Central Florida Wrecks

• SS Breconshire
• Georges Valentine
• Hog Heaven
• Urca De Lima
• USS Rankin
• Ana Cecilia
• United Caribbean
• USS Mindanao
• The Laertes
• Berry Patch Tug Wreck
• The Liberty Ship
• The Ana Cecilia
• The Cities Service Empire
• USS Accokeek
• The Tortuga Wreck
• Princess Ann Wreck (Palm Beach)
• Okinawa Wreck (Pompano Beach)
• MG-111 Wreck (Jupiter)
• Lady Luck Wreck (Pompano Beach)
• Rodeo 25 Wreck (Pompano Beach)
• Lowrance Wreck (Pompano Beach)
• RSB-1 Wreck (Deerfield Beach)
• Rebel Wreck (Deerfield Beach)
• Noulla Express Wreck (Fort Lauderdale)
• Sucre Wreck (Fort Lauderdale)
• Captain Tony Wreck (Pompano Beach)
• Peter McAllister Wreck (Pompano Beach)
• Guy Harvey Wreck (Fort Lauderdale)
• Quallman Tugs Wreck (Pompano Beach)
• Miller Lite Wreck (Pompano Beach)