Floating casino turned into an artificial reef! - video

A hurricane-damaged floating casino has been turned into the latest artificial reef off the coast of Florida. The vessel suffered serious damage when Hurricane Michael swept it ashore in 2018. Since then, she has been waiting for a decision on her future fate.

Fortunately, everything ended with a happy ending and the floating casino has opened a new chapter of its operations. This time it will be home to the surrounding flora and fauna, as well as a diving destination for tourists, who are never in short supply in Florida.

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The floating casino “El Dorado” is a boat measuring almost 50 metres long and weighing nearly 300 tonnes. The first problems began 15 years ago, when the vessel was damaged by Hurricane Ivan. “El Dorado” came into the hands of a new owner, who gave the boat for repair, but before this was completed, the work of destruction was completed by Hurricane Michael.

The new owner has abandoned further attempts to repair the vessel and has decided to donate it to be sunk as an artificial reef. This move will help create a new habitat for life, also to replace some artificial reefs damaged by recent storms.

The wreck of the “El Dorado” was sunk in position 29 ° 58’55.0 ″ N 85 ° 50’57.0 ″ W. The wreck starts at a depth of 19 metres and the bottom is at a depth of 30 metres. Panama City Dive centre assisted in the sinking by providing both a tug and safety units.

Source: naui.org