San Diego · United States · Wreck
Ruby E
An upright 1934 Prohibition cutter with a wheelhouse to look into
The Ruby E is the former Coast Guard cutter Cyane, a 50-metre ship (165 feet) built in Seattle in 1934 to enforce Prohibition and sunk as an artificial reef in Wreck Alley in 1989. She sits upright and intact, dived between 20 m and 26 m, with strawberry anemones on her structure and several easy entry points.
Also known as USCGC Cyane.
Where it is and how deep
32.7672° N, 117.2767° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The Ruby E was the second ship sunk in Wreck Alley, and she settled well: upright and intact on the bottom, with only the slightest list to the port side and her bow pointing north. The dive runs between 20 m and 26 m (65–85 ft), and every area of the wreck except the bilge is easily accessible.
The wheelhouse, with its round portholes, is the easiest place to enter, and the ship has a number of other easy penetration points. They should be used only with experience and caution. The engine room holds two large diesel engines with their heads off. Strawberry anemones grow over the structure, and rock scallops live on the wreck.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Ruby E (ex-USCGC Cyane)
- Type
- Coast Guard cutter
- Length
- 50 m (164 ft)
- Built
- 1934
- Sunk
- 1989
- Cause
- Sunk intentionally as an artificial reef in Wreck Alley
- Lies
- Upright and intact at 26 m, bow pointing north, with a slight list to port
The Ruby E began life as the Coast Guard cutter Cyane, 50 metres long (165 feet), built in 1934 in Seattle, Washington, and designed for the enforcement of Prohibition. In 1989 she was intentionally sunk as an artificial reef off San Diego, the second ship to go down in Wreck Alley.
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 | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good |
Season follows San Diego: Visibility is best from late summer into autumn and poorest from late winter through spring; lobster season runs October to March.
Know before you go
- The Ruby E has several easy penetration points, but they should be entered only with wreck experience and caution.
Dive videos
Scuba Diving the Wreck of the Ruby E. | Wreck Alley | San Diego | California · SDScuba on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is the Ruby E wreck?+
The Ruby E is dived between 20 m and 26 m (65–85 ft). She sits upright and intact on the bottom with only a slight list to port.
Can Open Water divers dive the Ruby E?+
Yes, the boat takes Open Water divers and up. The ship is upright and intact, but going inside should be left to divers with wreck experience.
Sources
- Ruby E | San Diego Dive Site — Marissa Charters
- Wreck Alley — Wikipedia
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