The Black Pearl, the pirate ship that was featured in Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, was recently sunk off the Florida coast to become the region’s latest artificial reef.
The 97-foot/30-meter, steel-hulled pirate-themed vessel now rests 6.01 nautical miles/11.13km southwest of St. Andrews Pass.
Positioned in 75 feet/23 meters of water, with the top of the structure reaching 54 feet/16.5 meters below the surface, the site is accessible to Open Water Certified divers and began attracting marine life within days.
To add a touch of Panama City Beach’s signature coastal character underwater, students from Haney Technical College crafted several pirate-inspired, heavy-gauge steel elements — including cannons, a treasure chest, a plank and a welded flag — designed to enhance the dive experience while supporting long-term reef development.
According to Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach:
“Expanding our artificial reef program supports sustainable fisheries while creating incredible new places for divers and anglers to explore. Diving and fishing are core to who we are, and we’re committed to building reefs that deliver long-term environmental value and memorable experiences for visitors.”
Erin Graham, artificial reef coordinator at Visit Panama City Beach, said since the ship didn’t have engines or fuel systems that needed to be taken out, that made it much easier to convert it into a reef.
In an interview with a local TV station, diver Julie Freudenthal said:
“This being THE Black Pearl, and I love all [f the] ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ movies, it was just amazing to be able to dive it and be one of the first groups to dive it.”
