Reported By: Jay Cashmere
November 15, 2006
Palm Beach County will soon have a new artificial reef reeling in hundreds of fishermen. An old vessel, now in Miami, is being prepared for a new resting place underwater.
This will be a huge asset to Palm Beach County and the county's artificial
reef committee. Another vessel will soon take its place offshore, this one not for diving but for fishing.
She sits idle in the Miami river. A 265 foot ship gearing up for a new home off the shores of Palm Beach County.
"In vide, 15 years ago, I have this vessel in perfect condition"
Miami Dade firefighter Carlos Gimenez knows this the vessel well. The Korimu, formerly known as the Celtic Crusader, is undergoing a $75,000 dollar overhaul in order to become an artificial reef.
"There are many parts to our reef program it isn't offshore its inshore sits also estuaries its great to have the opportunity to sink a big ship that brings notoriety."
Palm Beach County Commissioner Warren Newell works closely with the county's artificial reef committee and has secured a spot 300 feet deep two miles from Palm Beach inlet where the vessel will make its final resting place. A place to deep for recreational diving but one necessary to enhance the fishing population specifically attracting bait fish.
"We're gonna try working with fishing club to create some new habitat attached to this vessel."
The West Palm beach fishing club has already pitched in 10 grand to get the ship ready for her big day. it will be a site similar to this when the zion train went down in 2003.
Months of hard work culminate in a matter of minutes.
"It has to be cleaned real well all the oils fuels hydrolics anything that can possibly leak in the water they have to clean it."
The process takes about two months during which time firefighters use it as a training ground. Once the coast guard inspects it the former South American cargo vessel will be towed up to Palm Beach County and sunk into place marking a spot for a new artificial reef reeling thousands of fish and fisherman.
