This artificial reef has been developing since 2003, allowing for significant growth and colonization by marine organisms. The large openings cut into the sides of the superstructure not only allow for safe diver penetration but also create more accessible areas for fish and other marine life to inhabit.

Article at a Glance

• Historical Background: The DEMA Trader was originally named GGD Trader and was seized by U.S. Customs for drug trafficking before being sunk as an artificial reef.
• Sinking Purpose: Intentionally sunk on October 28, 2003, the wreck was designed to enhance marine habitats and provide a dive site for enthusiasts.
• Diving Experience: The wreck lies approximately 3.5 miles off Key Biscayne, at depths ranging from 70 to 80 feet, making it accessible for Open Water and Advanced divers.
• Marine Ecosystem: Since its sinking, the DEMA Trader has developed a vibrant ecosystem, attracting various fish species, including groupers, parrotfish, and barracudas.
• Structural Features: The ship features large openings in its superstructure for safe penetration dives, allowing divers to explore the former galley and cabin areas.
• Artificial Habitat: The cargo hold is filled with concrete culvert pipes and junction boxes, providing additional shelter for marine life and enhancing the dive experience.
• Diving Conditions: Divers can expect average visibility of around 20 meters (65 feet) and should be aware of potential strong currents, making it essential to check conditions before diving.

Shipwreck Location Coordinates and Depth

Depth

The DEMA Trader rests at the following depths:

• Keel (bottom): 80 feet (24 meters)
• Stern: 80 feet (24 meters)
• Bow: 75 feet (23 meters)

The wreck has a large profile, with most of the structure visible at around 60 feet (18 meters) depth.

Location Coordinates

The precise GPS coordinates for the DEMA Trader wreck are:25.703633, -080.086917

What Do Scuba Divers Say About This Ship

Dive Site Characteristics

• Depth: The wreck sits at 70-80 feet (21-24 meters) deep.
• Visibility: Average visibility is around 20 meters (65 feet).
• Difficulty: Considered suitable for Open Water or Advanced divers due to its depth.

Wreck Features

• Size: The DEMA Trader is a 165-foot-long (50-meter) freighter.
• Position: The ship rests upright (keel down) in the sand.
• Structure: Large openings were cut in the sides of the superstructure to allow safe penetration dives into the former galley and cabin areas.
• Profile: The wreck has a large profile, making it easy to find with a decent fish finder.

Diving Experience

• Accessibility: Most of the dive can be seen at 60 feet (18 meters) of water.
• Marine Life: The wreck is home to various marine species, including groupers and parrotfish.
• Artificial Habitat: Tons of concrete culvert pipes and junction boxes were loaded into the ship’s cargo hold, creating additional habitat for marine life.

What Kind of Marine Life Can Be Found on The Ship

Fish Species

• Groupers: Various species of groupers are commonly seen around the wreck.
• Parrotfish: These colorful reef fish are frequently observed in the area.
• Barracudas: Often found swimming near shipwrecks in Florida waters.
• Angelfish: Another common sight around artificial reefs like the DEMA Trader.

Other Marine Life

• Grunts: Schools of grunts are likely to be encountered.
• Yellowtails: These fish are often seen around wrecks in the region.

Invertebrates and Coral

• Sponges: Colorful sponges have grown on the wreck’s structure.
• Sea Fans: Various species of gorgonians, including sea fans, can be found.
• Hard and Soft Corals: Both types of corals have colonized parts of the wreck.

Habitat Enhancement

The DEMA Trader was intentionally prepared to create a rich marine habitat:

• Concrete Culvert Pipes: These were loaded into the ship’s cargo hold, providing additional shelter and habitat for marine life.
• Junction Boxes: Also added to the cargo hold, these structures create more hiding places for various species.

Key Information

What Makes DEMA Trader Wreck a Unique Diving Experience

Intentional Preparation for Diving

• Large openings were cut into the sides of the superstructure, allowing for safe penetration dives into the former galley and cabin areas.
• This preparation makes the wreck more accessible and interesting for divers to explore.

Enhanced Artificial Habitat

• Tons of concrete culvert pipes and junction boxes were loaded into the ship’s cargo hold.
• These additions serve two purposes:
  1. They create ballast to stabilize the wreck during storms.
  2. They provide additional habitat for marine life, offering more than just an open cargo hold.

Dive Profile

• The ship has a large profile, making it easy to locate with a decent fish finder.
• Most of the dive can be experienced at 60 feet (18 meters) of water depth, despite the wreck sitting deeper.

Historical Interest

• The ship has an interesting backstory, having been seized by U.S. Customs for drug trafficking before being repurposed as an artificial reef.
• It was renamed after the Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) and sunk in 2003, giving it time to develop as a thriving artificial reef.

Diving Conditions

• The wreck sits upright (keel down) in the sand, with the stern at 80 feet (24 meters) and the bow at 75 feet (23 meters).
• Its depth and structure make it suitable for Open Water or Advanced divers, offering a challenging but accessible dive.

Marine Life

• The intentional habitat enhancements and time underwater have allowed for the development of a diverse ecosystem, attracting various fish species and other marine life.

How Does The DEMA Trader Compare to Other Shipwrecks in Florida

Intentional Preparation

• Large openings were cut into the sides of the superstructure, allowing for safe penetration dives into the former galley and cabin areas.
• This preparation makes the DEMA Trader more accessible for exploration compared to some naturally sunk wrecks.

Enhanced Artificial Habitat

• Tons of concrete culvert pipes and junction boxes were loaded into the ship’s cargo hold.
• This addition creates more diverse habitats for marine life than just an open cargo hold, potentially offering a richer ecosystem than some other wrecks.

Relatively Recent Sinking

• Sunk on October 28, 2003, the DEMA Trader is one of the more recent additions to Florida’s artificial reef system.
• This means it’s in better condition than some older wrecks that have deteriorated over time.

Size and Profile

• At 165 feet (50 meters) long, the DEMA Trader is a substantial wreck.
• It has a large profile, making it easier to locate than some smaller wrecks.

Depth and Accessibility

• The wreck sits at 70-80 feet (21-24 meters) deep, with most of the dive visible at 60 feet (18 meters).
• This depth makes it more accessible than deeper wrecks like the Ultra Freeze (135 feet) or Almirante (110-135 feet).

Historical Interest

• The ship has an interesting backstory, having been seized by U.S. Customs for drug trafficking before being repurposed.
• It was renamed after the Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), giving it a unique connection to the diving industry.

What is The Full History of This Ship

Original Identity

• The ship was originally named GGD Trader.
• It was a 165-foot-long (50-meter) cargo freighter.

Seizure and Renaming

• The ship was seized by U.S. Customs for transporting drugs.
• It was renamed DEMA Trader after the Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA).
• The renaming was likely connected to the DEMA annual convention held in Miami Beach in October 2003.

Preparation and Sinking

• The ship was intentionally prepared to become an artificial reef:
  • Large openings were cut in the sides of the superstructure to allow safe penetration dives into the former galley and cabin areas.
  • Tons of concrete culvert pipes and junction boxes were loaded into the ship’s cargo hold to create ballast and provide additional habitat.
• The DEMA Trader was sunk on October 28, 2003.

Current Location and Condition

• The wreck lies about 3.5 miles (5.5 kilometers) off the coast of Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida.
• It rests keel-down in the sand:
  • The stern is at a depth of 80 feet (24 meters).
  • The bow is at a depth of 75 feet (23 meters).
• The ship has a large profile, making it easy to locate with sonar equipment.
• Most of the dive can be experienced at around 60 feet (18 meters) of water depth.

Purpose and Use

• The DEMA Trader was intentionally sunk to create an artificial reef.
• It has become a popular dive site for wreck enthusiasts and marine life observers.
• The wreck is suitable for Open Water or Advanced divers due to its depth and structure.

What Historical Features Can Still Be Identified on The DEMA Trader Wreck

Structural Elements

• Superstructure: Large openings were cut into the sides of the superstructure to allow for safe penetration dives. These openings provide access to the former galley and cabin areas.
• Cargo Hold: The ship’s cargo hold is still identifiable, though it has been modified. Tons of concrete culvert pipes and junction boxes were loaded into it to create ballast and provide additional habitat.
• Bow and Stern: The wreck lies keel-down in the sand, with the stern at 80 feet (24 meters) of water and the bow at 75 feet (23 meters).

Original Ship Features

• Overall Structure: The DEMA Trader retains its basic shape as a 165-foot-long (50-meter) freighter.
• Profile: The ship has maintained a large profile, making it easy to locate with sonar equipment.

Intentional Modifications

• Penetration Points: The large openings cut into the superstructure for diver access are a key identifiable feature.
• Artificial Habitat: The concrete culvert pipes and junction boxes added to the cargo hold can likely still be observed.

What Safety Measures Are in Place for Divers Visiting The DEMA Trader

1. Intentional preparation: Large openings were cut into the sides of the superstructure to allow for safe penetration dives into the former galley and cabin areas.
2. Depth considerations: The wreck sits at 70-80 feet (21-24 meters) deep, with most of the dive visible at 60 feet (18 meters). This depth makes it suitable for Open Water or Advanced divers, but not for novices.
3. Structural stability: Concrete culvert pipes and junction boxes were loaded into the ship’s cargo hold, creating ballast to help stabilize the wreck during storms.
4. Upright position: The ship rests keel-down in the sand, providing a stable and predictable dive environment.
5. Visibility: Average visibility is around 20 meters (65 feet), which helps divers maintain situational awareness.
6. Easy location: The wreck has a large profile, making it easy to find with sonar equipment, reducing the risk of divers getting lost.
7. Boat access: The site is accessible only by boat, which typically means dive operators will provide briefings and oversee dive operations.

Dive Shops That Provide Diving Trips to This Shipwreck

1. Key Largo Wrecks
   • Address: 106000 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
   • Phone: (800) 822-1088
   • While primarily focused on Key Largo wrecks, they may offer trips to nearby Miami wrecks.
2. Ideal Scuba Academy
   • Located in Miami-Dade County
   • Offers diving trips to various wrecks in the area, likely including the DEMA Trader
3. Grove Scuba, Inc.
   • Located in Miami, FL 33133
   • Provides information about various dive sites, including the DEMA Trader