Press Release - The Steel Forest

Cove works closely with the Bahamian government to secure the wrecks. "Over the years we have learned each other's needs. Ours is obviously to promote tourism and adding new wrecks does that," Cove said. "Other ministries of the government are involved with salvage and confiscated vessels. It was a natural marriage. Our company invests $10,000 to $20,000 per wreck to salvage it and prepare it for relocation and sinking as a dive site. The government donates the tugs and title to the vessels. It's a win-win, private sector - public sector relationship."

The idea for the "trio" of wrecks that will form an underwater "forest" of diving opportunity was first discussed earlier this summer. With the help of officials representing the government and the diving industry, Cove and his team accepted the challenge.

The first wreck was the "Manana", a 150-foot island cargo ship which went down two weeks earlier. Says Cove, "It's a really cool design, a tall wheelhouse up front, and in the rear it was one of those island ferry types where you drove semi trailers onto. So it has a low flat bottom and sidewalls with a drop down ramp at the rear. This gave her a nice flat bottom and she went down sitting upright and 50 feet away from the "Fenwick Stirrup", the original vessel, sunk in 1997.

The most recent wreck sunk was the "Captain Fox", an 80-foot fishing trawler which was placed on the bottom August 20, 2002. "The challenge on this wreck was cleaning her up and towing her around without her sinking," Cove observed. "The wreck was not in good shape to start with. We waited for a "postcard weather day" and the tugs got her around perfectly. She went down upright just in front of the "Fenwick Stirrup".

There are now 15 different wrecks that divers can visit while diving with Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas. Fall is a great time to travel and Stuart Cove's is offering some great packages. Rooms at the South Ocean Golf & Beach Resort start at $78 per night this fall. Divers can upgrade to the Wyndham Nassau Resort (formerly the Nassau Marriott) where rooms start at $108 per night, or choose to stay downtown at the luxurious British Colonial Hilton where rooms start at $129 per night.

For reservations or more information call Stuart Cove's at 800-879-9832 or visit www.stuartcove.com