It felt like we were trespassing. The morning was cold, and ocean conditions were absolutely terrible. Captain Ryan Kurtis motored his small scuba diving boat through the channel, which is positioned between one community of small, shore-side homes. We all squinted due to the peaking of early morning sun, and felt sick because of the terrifying ocean conditions. Facing the shore, I could see the monstrous 8 foot swells ahead of us.
We entered the open ocean and were greeted by huge waves. The front of the boat was actually submerged when we rode down each wave. We had to sit in the middle of the boat, holding on for dear life. However, the abnormal directions of the wind actually caused favorable conditions for one of the most dangerous and special shipwrecks in Florida.

“I know you are ready for this, stay calm and use your line.” Said Captain Kirk. He is one of my diving idels. The 6’4, bald, 50 year old man is a world class diver.

I have never scuba-dived down to 200 feet before. I have my advanced diving certification… and I have 67 dives. What can go wrong? I was ready to dive with some of the world’s most talented divers at a world class location. Being the youngest and one of three females on the boat, I couldn’t help to be a little nervous. What if my ears cannot take the pressure? Images of being in the decompression chamber haunted my mind.

The boat swayed back and forth, even causing the most experienced sea-men puked overboard. The conditions were so terrible, that no boats were out and the usual sea life seen from the boat decided to take cover. The gorgeous torqiouse clear water, was dark like it was possessed with a plague.

The USCG Bibb has claimed the lives of over 4 recreational divers. Positioned slightly off from the Gulf Stream, the shipwreck is home to very large and scary marine life.

“Robyn, hopefully the currents don’t switch up on us. Otherwise, the strong currents will cause of us to get entangled!”

Very funny! I laughed and played off the joke.

“The USS Bibb wreck is a former Coast Guard ship built in 1937. The Bibb served in patrols and as a convoy escort during World War II. She took part in the invasion of Okinawa and was in service in Vietnam. The 327-foot vessel had a beam of 41 feet and drew 13 feet of water. The ship is in pristine condition. We are going to be penetrating the wreck at about 95 feet, Use your line if you go off into a separate room, and stay with a buddy.”

Captain Kirk yelled over the very noisy ocean.

“ETA is Five minutes!” Our captain yelled.

I proceeded to do a routinely check all of my equipment. People have died here. Images flourished in my mind of being trapped in a small room within the boat. Come on, I have survived firefighting training, and rescue operations training where I have been actually stuck in small rooms, that are on fire… and where I have to actually save someone. Those were not even scary to me! Honestly, I have never been challenged enough, but for some reason this dive is really getting into my head. 

“We are about a quarter mile for the wreck; we are not using a rope to descend so just let the current drift you to our starting point. See ya down there.” Kirk said before jumping into the abyss. 

No boats were out. My legs were shaking. I had a tank of nitro oxygen and another oxygen tank strapped on my side. Just relax, I have two tanks on me, hopefully allowing for over an hour of bottom time, and another hour to ascend back up. I took my last breath of land air and jumped into the new world I was about to explore…
Descending down, I focused on equalizing my ear. This isn’t so bad. Slowly the sharks and barracuda emerged, spotted the seven divers drifting into their territory. OUCH! At around 97 feet my ear popped. I rapidly began to equalize them. I will do more damage if I drop my weights and do an emergency ascend. So I decided to keep going.

Finally reaching the ship, we were about to enter a gaping black hole in the boats bow. I looked down at my dive watch. We were at a depth of 275 feet. About to enter, our dive master gave us he hand sign to use flashlights. We swam through. No big deal, I feel fine! I signaled the hand sign for “okay” to my dive master. He pointed to a small opening, and gave the sign to swim through. I couldn’t see how the other divers were swimming through, so I had to figure it out for myself.

It was my turn. I flashed my light in there, and it was a long, dark and tiny corridor. I tried to fit while in normal belly-down diving position. But I got stuck. Holy crap, I am done for. This is it. Add my name to the divers that have died here. But I remembered to just back out. I wedged myself out. My heart rate was probably at 180 BPM. I turned to my side, and side kicked through. I have never been emerged in such darkness. Adrenaline was pumping. I tried to maintain a slow and steady inhale of my oxygen.

Finally, I saw the bright light of the 4 divers in front of my in the room. I actually made it. With so much doubt, I conquered the difficult maneuver swim-through to enter the ship. This is the biggest adrenaline rush ever.
There was a skull fused to a panel on the wall of the room, his bones were right below him. There is so much history in this boat, and courageous divers get to emerge into the unknown world of the ocean. Untouched and well preserved, advanced adrenaline junkie divers get to put their skills to test and dive a beautiful site.