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Divesite map with recommended diveplan
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Plug-in Version (better than java!) | ||
Aerial Photos of Reef
| MileMarker: | 108 |
| Location: | Lat 25 07.45 Long 80 17.80 6 miles E-NE of South Cut |
| Markers: | Site marked by orange and white surface buoy at least 16 mooring buoys: D1-16 |
| Depth Range: | 1 to 25 feet deep |
| Skill Level req.: | beginner |
| Risks/Warnings: | Depth warning: during low tide, can be very shallow. Boaters
Beware! SPA area [Sanctuary Preservation Area], no fishing or lobstering allowed |
| History | |
| The 9 foot 4000 pound bronze statue "Christ of the Abyss" was the third cast made from this mold. It was designed by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti and cast in Italy. The first cast was placed in 50 feet of water off of Genoa, Italy in 1954. In 1961, the second cast was placed in St. George's harbor in Grenada to commemorate the rescue of the Italian liner Bianca C., which burned and sank outside the harbor. The third cast, Florida's Christ statue, was commissioned and donated by Egidi Cressi, an Italian industrialist and dive equipment manufacturer. The Underwater Society of America received the donation in 1962 and, after much deliberation, placed the statue at Key Largo Dry Rocks in 1966. | |
| Dive Description | |
| The Statue sits atop a large concrete base in 25 feet of
water. It is in a small sand clearing, with reef surrounding it. It faces
a massive brain coral, with wall-like reef
flanking its sides. It is the location of nearly 200 underwater weddings
each year. Key Largo Dry Rocks is an inner bank reef, characterized by a location significantly closer to shore than its neighbors, with shallow water, calmer seas, and good visibility (with good weather). It is one of the most heavily visited sites in the Sanctuary, and despite the large number of buoys available, it is likely that boaters will have competition for a spot to moor their boat. Divers may find the huge number of humans in the water to be a great distraction and nuisance. The site has experienced significant damage from incompetent divers and snorkelers who stand on or touch the corals. Excessive feeding of the fishlife has domesticated and emboldened them, particularly the barracuda (thanks Slate!). The site is quite shallow nearly everywhere, especially at low tide. Divers will need good bouyancy control to avoid bumping the corals (use your lungs, not your BCD!). We find such shallow diving to be irritating and prefer other divesites. The reef is popular for good reason: in addition to the famous statue, it is a magnificent spur and groove reef seaward, with patch reef characteristics landward. Several cleaning stations full of electric-blue neon gobies await larger fish looking to lose their parasites. Brain coral dominate the seaward section of the reef, yielding to elkhorn coral and star coral towards land. Snorklers will find calmer waters towards land, where the water is shallow and fishlife just as prolific as the seaward section. Skates and rays are commonly sighted, as well as yellowtail snapper and Bermuda chubs. Divers and snorkelers should be reminded that Key Largo Dry Rocks is a designated SPA area [Sanctuary Preservation Area] and special care should be taken not to disturb any kind of marine life. Remember you are a visitor in a home that belongs to the animals and not to you! Fishing and lobstering as well as any other collection activity is strictly prohibited. | |
| Divesite info by: Jonathan Brinkman | |
Divelog for Key Largo Dry Rocks - The Christ of the Deep Statue
Add your dive to the divelog below!! CLICK HERE.
| Diver Name: | Theresa Dundon | Diver's email: | tdemail@animatedgif.net |
| Diver Hometown: | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | ||
| Ave. Depth (ft.): | 25 ft. | Date of Dive: | Aug-05-1999 |
| Max. Depth (ft.): | 30 ft. | Date of log entry: | Sep-08-1999 |
| Est. Air Temp (°F): | 90°F | Ave. Visibility-ft.: | 45 ft. |
| Est. Water Temp (°F): | 86°F | Seas Condition: | Wonderful (1-2') |
| Diver comments on dive: | Fantastic dive. really enjoyed seeing the Christ statue. a little shallow, but very beautiful. too bad about all the other divers tho... | ||
| Diveshop used: | Silent World Dive Center | They did an excellent job. made the trip nice. | |
