Fort Lauderdale · United States · Wreck · Artificial reef
Merci Jesus
Upright wreck seized for drugs, with swim-throughs at 21 m
The Merci Jesus is a 27-metre (90-foot) vessel on the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek, seized by US Customs in April 1998 and sunk as an artificial reef that August. It sits upright in 21 m (70 ft) with its bow to the south, and its swim-throughs are easy enough for a new diver. Currents on the Trek are generally mild.
Where it is and how deep
26.1606° N, 80.0791° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The wreck lies just north of the Ken Vitale in the chain of four large and several smaller wrecks known as the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek, and it is visited by boat rather than from shore. The hull is upright with the bow pointing south, 27 m (90 ft) long and 8 m (26 ft) wide, with its shallowest parts at around 14 m (45 ft) and the bottom at 21 m (70 ft).
The main draw is the set of swim-throughs, easy enough for a beginner and fun for experienced divers too. Currents on the Trek can vary but are generally mild. When the current suits, the dive starts on the Merci Jesus, circles it, then takes a heading south along rebar stakes set in the sand about 60 m (200 ft) to the Ken Vitale, and some dives reach the Jay Scutti as well.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Merci Jesus
- Type
- Vessel seized by US Customs
- Length
- 27 m (89 ft)
- Sunk
- 1998
- Cause
- Seized by US Customs for drugs, then sunk by the Broward County Artificial Reef Program
- Lies
- Upright in 21 m (70 ft), bow pointing south
US Customs officials seized the Merci Jesus in April 1998 for possession of drugs. The Broward County Artificial Reef Program then sank the 27-metre (90-foot) vessel on 11 August 1998, adding it to the line of wrecks off Fort Lauderdale that divers now call the Wreck Trek.
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
Diving the Merci Jesus Wreck · Reefball | South Florida Scuba Diving on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Is the Merci Jesus wreck suitable for beginners?+
Yes. Its swim-throughs are easy enough for a beginner, and currents on the Wreck Trek are generally mild.
Sources
- South Florida Wrecks — Sea Experience
- Lauderdale Wreck Trek — Aquatic Ventures
- Merci Jesus (Wreck) — Scubago
- Wreck Trek Ft Lauderdale — South Florida Diving Headquarters
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