Fort Myers & Sanibel · United States · Wreck
USCGC Mohawk
The first veterans memorial military ship reef in the United States
A 50-metre (165-foot) Coast Guard cutter built in 1934 and sunk on July 2, 2012, about 28 nautical miles off Captiva Island, where it was dedicated as the first veterans memorial military ship reef in the United States. It sits in 27 m (90 feet) with many options for penetration, so charters ask for proof of Advanced certification.
Where it is and how deep
26.5512° N, 82.7247° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The dive starts after a run of about 28 nautical miles out from Captiva Island into the open Gulf of Mexico. The cutter sits in 27 m (90 feet) of water, so the descent is a full drop to the wreck on the seabed. The hull is 50 m (165 feet) long, and at this depth no-decompression time is short, so the bottom time has to be planned with care.
The Mohawk has many options for penetration, which is why the charters that run here ask for proof of Advanced certification before divers board. Divers without wreck training keep to the outside of the hull; those who are trained can work through the openings into the ship. The cutter served on icebreaking duty on the Hudson and Delaware Rivers and in the North Atlantic during World War II before it was sunk here.
The wreck
- Vessel
- USCGC Mohawk (WPG-78)
- Type
- Coast Guard cutter
- Length
- 50 m (164 ft)
- Built
- 1934
- Sunk
- 2012
- Cause
- Sunk as a veterans memorial military ship reef
- Lies
- On the bottom in 27 m (90 feet), about 28 nautical miles off Captiva Island
The USCGC Mohawk WPG-78 is a 50-metre (165-foot) Coast Guard cutter, built in 1934 and commissioned in 1935. It was assigned to icebreaking on the Hudson and Delaware Rivers before serving in the North Atlantic during World War II. After many years in limbo, the ship was sunk on July 2, 2012, 28 nautical miles off the coast of Captiva Island, and dedicated as the first veterans memorial military ship reef in the United States.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Fort Myers & Sanibel: Diving runs all year; no month stands out. January has the coolest water, near 19 C, and the summer peak reaches about 30 C.
Know before you go
- Many openings lead into the hull; only divers trained in wreck penetration should go inside.
- The bottom sits at 27 m (90 feet), so no-decompression time is short; watch the computer closely.
Dive videos
H2O Offshore Adventures - USCGC Mohawk Dive Trip · H2O Offshore Adventures on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is the USCGC Mohawk wreck?+
The Mohawk sits in 27 m (90 feet) of water, about 28 nautical miles off Captiva Island in the Gulf of Mexico.
What certification is needed to dive the Mohawk?+
Charters to the Mohawk require proof of Advanced certification, because the wreck has many options for penetration.
Sources
- Dive Charters - Island Coast Excursions — Island Coast Excursions
- USCGC Mohawk (WPG-78) — Wikipedia
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