Fort Lauderdale · United States · Wreck · Artificial reef
Jay Scutti
A 1961 Dutch-built harbour tug linked by lines to its neighbours
The Jay Scutti is a harbour tug of 29–30 m (95–100 ft), built in the Netherlands in 1961 and sunk as an artificial reef off Fort Lauderdale on 19 September 1986. It sits upright in 17–22 m (55–72 ft) between two sailing hulls on the Wreck Trek, and lines link it to the Pride and the Tracy, so one dive can cover two wrecks.
Where it is and how deep
26.1587° N, 80.0793° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The Jay Scutti is one of four wrecks in a line, with the Pride to the south and the Tracy and Merci Jesus to the north. The tug's bow points north, with the shallowest parts at around 17 m (55 ft) and the deepest at 22 m (72 ft). The hull is encrusted with sponges, hydroids and tunicates, which draw herbivorous fish such as parrotfish.
The Pride, a 29 m (95 ft) steel-hulled sailboat sunk in 1987, lies about 30 m (100 ft) away and is attached to the tug by a cable that divers use to navigate between the two. The 14 m (45 ft) Moonshot lies parallel to the Pride, and a 12 m (40 ft) yacht, the B.H. Lake, sits 40 m (130 ft) northeast of the Jay Scutti. A second line runs north to the Tracy, 30–60 m (100–200 ft) away, and with a well planned dive both wrecks can be seen. Currents on the Trek can vary but are generally mild.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Jay Scutti
- Type
- Harbour tugboat
- Length
- 29 m (95 ft)
- Built
- 1961
- Sunk
- 1986
- Cause
- Confiscated after a marijuana smuggling run, then sunk as an artificial reef
- Lies
- Upright in 21 m (70 ft), bow pointing north
The Jay Scutti began as the Arikok, a 29-metre (95-foot) Aruba harbour tug built in the Netherlands in 1961 and named after the first settlers of Aruba. It was caught on a marijuana smuggling run and confiscated, then bought at auction by a local businessman who renamed it Jay Scutti in memory of his son. It was sunk as an artificial reef on 19 September 1986.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Good |
Season follows Fort Lauderdale: Diving runs year round; hurricane season is June to November, with September and October the likeliest months for a major storm.
Know before you go
- A dive flag line can snag on the wrecks; divers who stay on one hull for a while tie the flag off and collect it before moving on.
Dive videos
Jay Scutti Wreck | Scuba | Ft Lauderdale · The PADI Couple on YouTube
Questions divers ask
When was the Jay Scutti sunk?+
It was sunk as an artificial reef off Fort Lauderdale on 19 September 1986, after the tug was confiscated on a marijuana smuggling run.
Sources
- South Florida Wrecks — Sea Experience
- Lauderdale Wreck Trek — Aquatic Ventures
- Jay Scutti — South Florida Diving Headquarters
- Wreck Trek Ft Lauderdale — South Florida Diving Headquarters
- FWC Artificial Reef Locations in Florida (deployment records) — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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