Diving atCaptain Patrick Price Reef (United States)
Providing essential marine habitat, Captain Patrick Price Reef stands as an artificial structure with a dual mission. It functions as a dedicated memorial reef while actively fostering biodiversity. Deployed at a substantial depth, this significant underwater landmark attracts diverse marine life, offering specific dive opportunities. Visibility around the structure varies with local conditions; calm days often reveal its contours clearly.
As evening covers Captain Patrick Price Reef, the local air temperature is measured at 24°C. The current wave height at the surface is recorded at 0.76m. These late-day readings characterize the surface conditions for the night.
Dive Site Coordinates
27.3970, -80.0092
Dive Site Overview
An intricate project culminated on May 15, 2022, with the intentional sinking of the 98-foot-long steel-hulled Benetti motoryacht 'Last One', forming the Captain Patrick Price Reef. Renamed in honor of Captain Patrick Price, a local fishing charter captain who passed in 2021, the site now functions as both a permanent memorial and a thriving underwater ecosystem.
Resting at a maximum depth of 55 m (180 ft), this substantial vessel is positioned approximately two miles south of the USS Muliphen artificial reef. Its creation represents a broader initiative by the St. Lucie County Artificial Reef Program and the MCAC Artificial Reef Fund to enhance marine habitats off the St. Lucie County coast, involving extensive planning for proper permitting and meticulous vessel preparation. A deep-water site, it is designed to support a wide array of reef fish species, providing both spawning and feeding grounds.
Over time, the structure is expected to continue evolving into a complex habitat, with local divers annually monitoring its development as a marine sanctuary.
Best Time to Dive
Optimal diving conditions at Captain Patrick Price Reef generally align with periods of reduced wave action and lighter winds. The late spring and summer months, particularly May through August, tend to offer the most favorable window. During these months, average wave heights are at their lowest, ranging from 0.58 m (1.9 ft) in July to 0.89 m (2.9 ft) in August, contributing to better underwater visibility. Wind speeds also decrease significantly, with July averaging 24.89 km/h (15.5 mph) and May 27.79 km/h (17.3 mph). Air temperatures during this period are warm, consistently above 25°C (77°F), reaching a high of 28.58°C (83.4°F) in August. Rainfall varies, with some months like July having lower averages around 2.42 mm (0.09 inches), indicating generally stable weather patterns for dive planning.
Climate Historical Averages
Monthly records compiled from satellite and marine observation nodes over the last 3 years. Data provided by Open-Meteo and MET Norway.
Dive Experience & Conditions
Approaching Captain Patrick Price Reef by boat requires navigating to its offshore location, approximately 12 miles northeast of the St. Lucie Inlet. Upon entry, divers descend to a substantial maximum depth of 55 m (180 ft) where the 98-foot steel yacht rests. Visibility can vary, often depending on recent weather and local currents. Divers can expect to explore the full structure of the motoryacht, observing how marine growth has begun to transform the vessel into a living reef. Currents may be present, requiring divers to be proficient in drift diving techniques or comfortable with potentially strong flows. Given its considerable depth, this site is primarily suited for experienced divers with advanced certifications, including those qualified for technical diving operations.
Dive Difficulty & Safety Guidelines
Diving at this artificial reef demands a thorough understanding of deep diving protocols. Resting at 55 m (180 ft), the site requires divers to hold appropriate advanced certifications and potentially technical dive training. Always plan your dive thoroughly, including gas management, decompression procedures, and emergency contingency plans, especially considering the depth. Surface conditions, which have previously caused deployment delays due to 'windy sea conditions,' can shift, so always assess weather and sea state before and during your dive. As with any offshore artificial reef, boat traffic in the area is possible. Maintain vigilance when surfacing, and deploy a surface marker buoy. Regular monitoring by organizations like the MCAC Artificial Reef Fund ensures the reef's structural integrity over time.
Recommended Equipment
No verified equipment items yet.
Verified equipment recommendations for this dive site are being reviewed and may be added as additional source checks are completed.
Recommended Dive Suit
3mm wetsuit is often considered an appropriate level of exposure protection for conditions like these. A hood or vest is suggested for sensitive divers due to surface winds.
Divers entering the water at Captain Patrick Price Reef today can expect temperatures near 26°C (78°F) beneath the surface. Surface air temperatures are resting at 24°C (75°F).
The upcoming forecast points to generally steady conditions in the area.
Conditions last reviewed: 18:00 using the latest environmental data.
Dive Logistics & Preparation
Hyperbaric Chamber
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Entry Requirements
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Currency
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Nearest Airports
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Marine Life at Captain Patrick Price Reef
Actively cultivating a dynamic underwater landscape, Captain Patrick Price Reef attracts a wide range of species to its structure. An artificial reef like this is designed to provide critical spawning and feeding habitats. Divers frequently observe various reef fish, including snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and porgy. Larger pelagic species such as cobia and king mackerel are also known to frequent the area, drawn by the abundance of bait fish that gather around the sunken vessel. The evolving ecosystem around the 98-foot motoryacht contributes significantly to enhancing local fisheries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of Captain Patrick Price Reef?
The reef serves as both a memorial to Captain Patrick Price, a local charter boat skipper, and an artificial habitat. It was designed to enhance marine biodiversity by providing spawning and feeding grounds for various fish species.
What kind of vessel is the Captain Patrick Price Reef?
It is a 98-foot-long, steel-hulled Benetti motoryacht, formerly named 'Last One.' It was meticulously cleaned and prepared before being sunk to ensure environmental compliance and safety as an artificial reef.
How deep is Captain Patrick Price Reef?
The reef rests at a maximum depth of approximately 55 m (180 ft). This makes it a deep dive site, generally requiring advanced diving certifications.
When was the Captain Patrick Price Reef deployed?
The Capt. Patrick Price Reef was deployed on May 15, 2022, after several months of planning and an initial delay due to unfavorable weather conditions.
What types of marine life can be seen at the reef?
The reef attracts a diverse array of marine life, including snapper, grouper, triggerfish, porgy, cobia, and king mackerel. Numerous species of bait fish also utilize the structure as a habitat.
What are the best months for diving this site?
The best time to dive Captain Patrick Price Reef typically falls between May and August. These months generally offer the calmest sea conditions, with lower wave heights and lighter winds, which contribute to better diving visibility.
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