wreck

Log This Dive

P. C. Barge

The P.C. Barge is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to in the Keys. It’s not some grand ocean liner, but a sturdy, working vessel, and that’s precisely its charm. Down at around 20 metres, the barge lies broken in half, the two sections listing away from each other. We always feel a bit of melancholy dropping onto it, seeing the twisted metal and thinking about its working life cut short. What you get here is a masterclass in artificial reef development. The metal plates are completely encrusted; we’ve seen patches of orange cup coral so thick they look like velvet blankets. Look closely in the nooks and crannies – the Band Cusk-eels love it here, often peeking out with those curious faces. We’ve also spotted some surprisingly big Red Scorpionfish, masters of camouflage, tucked right into the rust. Our favourite has to be watching the resident Honeycomb Moray slinking through the debris field between the two halves of the wreck, always on the hunt. This wreck is fantastic for macro photographers who appreciate the subtle beauty of a well-colonised structure and for divers who enjoy a relaxed exploration without strong currents.