| 1987-09-23: |
Final Fate:
Na onttakeld en uitgesloopt te zijn, op vier mijl ten noorden van Port Everglades Cut (voor de kust van Fort Lauderdale) als kunstmatig rif tot zinken gebracht als 'Jim Atria Reef'. Ze kwam op haar bakboordzijde in 33 meter diep water terecht in pos. 26.09.52. N – 80.04.76 W. In 1992, ten gevolge van de orkaan Andrew, kwam ze op een kwart mijl van haar eerste positie terecht en staat nu rechtop in veertig meter diep water. Ze is een geliefd duikobject.
This Dutch built freighter, originally named Poinciana, was built in 1961. She was 227 feet long, had a 34 foot beam, and was powered by an eight cylinder Werkspoor diesel. She gained notoriety after she capsized and sank in the Miami River. The vessel was raised, towed offshore and then sunk as an artificial reef on September 23, 1987. She now sits on her port side in 112 feet of water.
23-09-1987 Quick Description: The Jim Atria, a 240-foot Dutch freighter originally named the Poinciana, rests in 135 feet of water 4.5 miles north of Port Everglades and 1.75 miles off of the beach at Oakland Park Blvd. N 26° 09.870' W 080° 04.225' Jim Atria Artificial Reef. Lat 26 09.520 Lon 80 04.760 Location. Four miles north of the Port Everglades Cut; just outside the third reef line. In September 1987, the Broward County Artificial Reef Program sank the 240-foot Dutch freighter Poinciana, built in 1961 on her port side in 110 feet of water. The name was changed to Jim Atria, after Jim Atria who is a Broward County developer, diver and sport fisherman. Atria played a major role in having the ship sunk, his way of thanking the community that had been so good to him over the years. On right side is picture of Jim Atria at Dry Dock in Hoboken, NJ in 1964. Also in the photo is Evert Seuter (Red) a Gentleman that worked in the early 1960's at ship for two years and in April 2004 he came down to dive the Atria with us. Please notice her 2 masts and the Empire State building in the background. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew moved the ship more than 1/4 mile offshore and sitting upright to a depth of 132 feet. Her 2 masts are intact, rise to 70 feet, the highest point of the wreck and are covered by various corals and sea fans, providing great photo opportunities when ascending from the main deck. Other beautiful spots for memorable shots are the corner of the main deck as it meets the wheelhouse on the starboard side which, in itself is covered with staggering growth, and several open hatches adorned with tremendous growth. Wreck divers are invited to explore the inside of several openings at the wheelhouse at 95 feet. For the naturalist, Black Groupers, and Hogfish can be found under the hull at the sand, Glassy Sweepers and Squirrelfish in the cargo hold, thousands of Snappers and Grunts hiding in nooks, schools of Barracuda hovering as you descend and Amberjacks speeding through thousands of swimming baitfish above. Seventeen years of growth has made for a beautiful site, teeming with sea life, a favorite among local divers, standing out as one of the best. In September 1987, the Broward County Artificial Reef Program sank the 240-foot Dutch freighter Poinciana, built in 1961 on her port side in 110 feet of water. The name was then changed to Jim Atria, after Jim Atria who is a Broward County developer, diver and sport fisherman. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew moved the ship more than 1/4 mile offshore and sitting upright to a depth of 135 feet. Her 2 masts are intact, rise to 70 feet, the highest point of the wreck and are covered by various corals and sea fans, providing great photo opportunities when ascending from the main deck. Other beautiful spots for memorable shots are the corner of the main deck as it meets the wheelhouse on the starboard side which, in itself is covered with staggering growth, and several open hatches adorned with tremendous growth. Wreck divers are invited to explore the inside of several openings at the wheelhouse at 95 feet. For the naturalist, Black Groupers, and Hogfish can be found under the hull at the sand, Glassy Sweepers and Squirrelfish in the cargo hold, thousands of Snappers and Grunts hiding in nooks, schools of Barracuda hovering as you descend and Amberjacks speeding through thousands of swimming baitfish above. Occasionally, you might see a spotted eagle ray glide by. Twelve years of growth has made for a beautiful site, teeming with sea life, a favorite among local divers, standing out as one of the best. Originally the Jim Atria rested on her port side, until a storm righted her in 1996. You commonly see larger schooling game fish.
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