Laguna Beach, Dana Point & Newport Beach · United States · Wreck
A.C.E.
Drum seiner lost in 2005, now home to marine life at 34 m
Area photo: Jukka from HELSINKI, Finland · CC BY 2.0
The A.C.E. is an 18-metre (58 ft) drum seiner that capsized in November 2005 while heading back to Dana Point Harbor after a night of bait fishing. It now lies at 34 m (113 ft), where it has become home to thousands of organisms. It is a boat dive from Dana Point for experienced divers only.
Also known as ACE.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Laguna Beach, Dana Point & Newport Beach and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
The A.C.E. is a boat dive from Dana Point and a deep one from the start: the wreck sits at 34 m (113 ft), and the trip is reserved for experienced divers who are comfortable at that depth. The dive descends to the former fishing boat, which is now home to thousands of underwater organisms.
The vessel was an 18-metre (58 ft) drum seiner. Early on 26 November 2005 it was returning to Dana Point Harbor after a night of bait fishing when offshore winds raised a sharp, short chop that pounded the boat until it capsized; it was already listing from a leaking deck hatch. The boat then sank, and it has rested at 34 m (113 ft) ever since.
The wreck
- Vessel
- A.C.E.
- Type
- Drum seiner (fishing boat)
- Length
- 18 m (59 ft)
- Sunk
- 2005
- Cause
- Capsized in a steep chop raised by offshore winds, already listing from a leaking deck hatch
- Lies
- On the bottom at 34 m (113 ft)
Early on 26 November 2005 the A.C.E., an 18-metre (58 ft) drum seiner, was on its way back to Dana Point Harbor after a night of bait fishing. Offshore winds raised a sharp, quick chop of steep waves breaking seconds apart, which slammed the boat until it capsized. It had already been listing from a leaking deck hatch. It sank to 34 m (113 ft).
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 | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Season follows Laguna Beach, Dana Point & Newport Beach: The water averages about 20 °C (67.6 °F) in July and 15 °C (58.5 °F) in January; spiny lobster season runs October to March.
Know before you go
- At 34 m (113 ft) the wreck is deep; the operator takes only experienced divers comfortable at that depth, so gas and no-decompression time need careful planning.
Questions divers ask
How deep is the A.C.E. wreck off Dana Point?+
The A.C.E. lies at 34 m (113 ft), so the dive is reserved for experienced divers comfortable at that depth.
When did the A.C.E. sink?+
The drum seiner capsized early on 26 November 2005 in a steep chop raised by offshore winds, on its way back to Dana Point Harbor.
Sources
- Scuba Diving & Snorkeling — Riviera Yacht Charters
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