Fort Lauderdale · United States · Wreck · Artificial reef
Ken Vitale
An upright 40 m cargo vessel used for wreck diving classes
The Ken Vitale, also called the Tracy, is a 40-metre (131-foot) cargo vessel seized by US Customs for drug trafficking and sunk as an artificial reef on the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek. It lies upright in 14–22 m (45–72 ft), and its easy penetration makes it a regular site for wreck diving classes. A plaque on the wreck honours the local instructor it is named after.
Also known as Tracy.
Where it is and how deep
26.1593° N, 80.0794° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
Boats tie off to the Ken Vitale, which lies between the tug Jay Scutti to the south and the Merci Jesus to the north on the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek. The 40 m (131 ft) cargo vessel is 10 m (32 ft) across the beam and rises to around 14 m (45 ft) at its shallowest, with the deepest parts at 22 m (72 ft); the hull stands upright, bow to the north.
Penetration into the wreck is easy, which is why it is popular for wreck diving classes, and a plaque on the wreck honours Ken Vitale, a well known local instructor. A chain or cable links the Tracy to the Jay Scutti, 30–60 m (100–200 ft) to the south, so a well planned dive can take in both wrecks. Currents on the Trek can vary but are generally mild, and when the current suits, divers carry on to the Merci Jesus as well, following rebar stakes set in the sand between the hulls.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Tracy (Ken Vitale)
- Type
- Cargo vessel
- Length
- 40 m (131 ft)
- Cause
- Seized by US Customs for drug trafficking, then sunk as an artificial reef
- Lies
- Upright in 21 m (70 ft), bow pointing north
US Customs seized the Tracy for drug trafficking and towed it to the Miami River, where it sat derelict before it was taken to Fort Lauderdale to become an artificial reef. Dive operators give its sinking as 1998 or as 2 March 1999. A plaque on the wreck honours Ken Vitale, a well known local scuba instructor, and the wreck now carries both names.
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
- Going inside the hull is overhead diving and calls for wreck training; the easy penetration is why wreck classes use it.
- 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
Tracy - Ken Vitale Wreck Scuba Dive | Site Guide and Review | Fort Lauderdale, Florida · International Scuba Divers Club on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Can divers go inside the Ken Vitale wreck?+
Yes. Penetration is easy, and the wreck is popular for wreck diving classes.
Sources
- South Florida Wrecks — Sea Experience
- Lauderdale Wreck Trek — Aquatic Ventures
- Tracey — 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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