Cancun and Mayan Riviera Wrecks

[Scorpio Divers]

The Cancun and the Mayan Riviera offer amazing diving with their beautiful Caribbean water.

In addition to the great reefs, there are several great wrecks to dive.

The Mexican Navy and other government institutions, backed up by the president at that time, Ernesto Zedillo, who was a diver; sunk 7 vessels throughout Mexico. Four of which are in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Cozumel.

The Vessels: Anaya, Juan de la Barrera, Juan Escutia and Felipe Xicotencatl were intentionally sunk in the year 2000 for Diving purposes, to create new reefs as well as coral formations in order to attract the vast marine life this section of the Caribbean offers.

Hurricane.
When Hurricane Wilma came, it destroyed a lot of marine life such as corals and reefs, but also it destroyed some of the Wrecks that had only been sunk for a couple of years.

The C58 was torn into two pieces, and the C55 was almost completely destroyed.

For divers, a lot was lost when these new attractions became ruble on the ocean floor, a reminder of the great force of nature.

Fortunately, this did not deter the fish. Now these sites have been flooded by a myriad of amazing species such as Spotted Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks, Barracudas, Eels, Groupers, Jacks, Sardines and much more.

To some, these wrecks are a great learning approach to wreck diving as some aren’t that deep and a normal sport diver can enjoy the wonderful penetration that two of them still have.


Cancun

C-58 ANAYA. Sunk May 28, 2000
Depth is approximately 80 feet and was divided into to two sections by hurricane Wilma, which are 4-to 6 minutes apart diving distance (depending on the current). The wreck has partial penetration on the back deck of the wreck and the stern can be appreciated resting on its left side with little penetration.

C-55 JUAN DE LA BARRERA. Sunk October 27, 2000
Depth is approximately 75 feet and has very little penetration on the back deck of the wreck. The rest of the wreck is just in pieces, but the stern can be appreciated resting to its left side.

Puerto Morelos

C-56 JUAN ESCUTIA. Sunk October 28, 2000
Depth is approximately 90 feet, and it has full penetration. All the wreck is in perfect condition, which allows for a great dive all around it inside.

Cozumel

C-53 FELIPE XICOTENCATL. Sunk June 6, 2000
Depth is approximately 70 feet, and it has full penetration. The front part of the wreck has a bit of damage on the bottom, but is still good for penetration.


Cargo Wreck. Sunk 35 years ago not intentionally. Location: -
Depth is approximately 120 feet deep and is separated into pieces. Currently there is no penetration to the parts found, but you can look in for all…. amazing marine life such as huge fish species like Jacks, Barracudas and large Lion Fish. Interaction of the marine life with divers is very different than any other dive site as the marine life come to you in contrast to the other sites where go to see them. At present it is a total adventure to be discovered...


Jorge

 

[dive pro]

Thank you Scorpio Divers for this awesome info!!! Great to have this information of the recent history of our wrecks!!!
Here is some past history of these amazing ships:
The Admirable class was the largest and one of the most successful classes of minesweepers the United States Navy ordered during World War II. Typically, the minesweeper detected and removed mines before the rest of the fleet arrived, thereby ensuring safe passage for the larger ships. They were also charged with antisubmarine warfare (ASW) duties with rear-mounted depth charge racks and a forward-firing Hedgehog. Their job was essential to the safety and success of U.S. naval operations during World War II and the Korean War. These minesweepers were also employed as patrol and escort vessels.

Several of these vessels were sold to the Mexican Navy back in the beginning of the 60's. They were commissioned at the Mexican Navy and some of them still are in great shape and use!!!

Our wrecks:
USS Knave (AM-256) now the ARM Cadete Juan Escutia (C56)

USS Ransom (AM-283), The former Ransom was acquired by the Mexican Navy in 1962 and renamed ARM DM-12. In 1994, she was renamed ARM Teniente Juan de la Barrera (C55)!

USS Scuffle (AM-298) The former Scuffle was acquired by the Mexican Navy in October 1962 and renamed ARM DM-05. She was renamed ARM General Felipe Xicoténcatl (C53) in 1994. She is reported as being sunk of Cozumel in 1999, and was stricken from the rolls of the Mexican Navy in 2000.

USS Harlequin (AM-365) The former Harlequin was acquired by the Mexican Navy in October 1962 and renamed ARM DM-20. From 1976–1978 she was disarmed and converted to an oceanographic research vessel; she was renamed ARM Oceanográfico (H02) around this same time. In 1993, she was renamed ARM General Pedro María Anaya (A08). Some time after April 1999, she was rearmed and converted to a school ship (Spanish: buque escuela) and renamed ARM Aldabaran

As of 2007 Aldebaran remained in active service with the Mexican Navy.

There is confusion about this ship, The original ARM General Anaya was given A08 ID numbers, but the A08 now Aldebaran, is not the same original General Anaya that was given C58 ID
like several of the C-50's the 58 has always been a mystery in the Naval archives as was the original HARLEQUIN that was said it was at the Pacific and close to Pearl Harbor in the 2nd world war, here some of it's documented history:
Harlequin was launched 3 June 1944 by Willamette Iron and Steel Works, Portland, Oregon; sponsored by Mrs. Mary M. Doig, whose husband and son were reported missing in action and who also had another son, a brother, and nine nephews in the Navy. She commissioned 28 September 1945, Lt. Henry R. Darling, USNR, in command. Reporting to San Pedro, California, for shakedown 19 October, Harlequin remained there until 29 November, when she sailed south, reaching New Orleans, Louisiana, 15 December. Harlequin sailed to Orange, Texas, 2 April 1946 and decommissioned there 27 May. While she remained in reserve, Harlequin was reclassified MSF-365 on 7 February 1955. Harlequin was struck from the Navy List on 1 May 1962, and later, on 2 October 1962, sold to Mexico.

Sorry to all for the long post, Wrecks fascinate me in all ways, but the most important about any wreck is it's history, I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!!!!

AND THANKS AGAIN TO SCORPIO DIVERS FOR THE POST, IT IS TIME PEOPLE KNOW A LITTLE MORE ABOUT OUR FANTASTIC DIVE SITES.