Ophelia Brian

The coral reefs off Miami-Dade County’s shores received some relief from the pressure of recreational divers and fishermen with the sinking of a large freighter known as the Ophelia Brian, as an addition to the artificial diving and fishing reefs. The Miami-Dade Reef Guard Association (MIRA), in carrying out its mission of protecting and safeguarding Miami-Dade’s coral reefs, solicited and received a generous donation so they could arrange for the placement and sinking of Ophelia Brian – the largest ship ever purposely sunk as an artificial reef in Miami-Dade County by and for sport diving.

The 210 foot freighter, built in 1965 by J.J. Sietas in Hamburg, Germany christened Hoheburg and lastly called Sea Taxi, became the Ophelia Brian when she sunk at a pre-permitted site off Key Biscayne on December 30, 2009. The vessel is a sister ship to two very popular, previously sunk Miami-Dade artificial reefs -- the Ultra Freeze and the Deep Freeze. It's been renamed several times in the past 40 years, most recently called the Sea Taxi as you can see painted on the side of the vessel in the photo taken just before the sinking.

The artificial reef created by the wrecksite will provide recreational diving, ecotourism and fishing to the residents of Miami-Dade County and visitors from all over the world. MIRA’s purchase of Ophelia Brian was made possible by a generous donation from the Brian and Lavinia Snyder Foundation. They have chosen to rename the wreck after their daughter, Ophelia, for her eighteenth birthday next year. The Ophelia Brian artificial reef site will assist in diverting diving and fishing pressure from natural coral reefs in the area. The MIRA organization is selling medallions and stickers for $10 apiece to raise funds for Miami-Dade County artificial reef and mooring buoy programs. For more information, call 305-861-6277 or visit www.reefguard.org