Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek: Diving the Tracey

Also known as the Ken Vitale, the Tracey Shipwreck is the middle vessel of the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek. A local favorite for penetration, the Tracey is one of the best shipwrecks Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

Diving the Tracey Shipwreck in Fort Lauderdale:

This article provides you with everything you need to know about diving the Tracey Shipwreck in Fort Lauderdale. By the end, you’ll know what to expect on your dive, how to get there, and learn other tips to diving in South Florida.

For more on the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek and its shipwrecks:

• How to Dive the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek
• Diving the Jay Scutti Shipwreck
• Diving the Merci Jesus

History of the Tracey Shipwreck in Fort Lauderdale:

Seemingly like other shipwrecks apart of the Broward County Artificial Reef Program, the Tracey was seized for drug trafficking by US Customs.

She was towed to the Miami River where she sat derelict before sailing to Fort Lauderdale to join the fun down below. On March 2nd, 1999 she was sunk just a mere 200 feet north of the Jay Scutti and 200 feet south of the Merci Jesus – completing the famous Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek.

Perfect precision, if you ask us.

The wreck is also known as the “Ken Vitale” as there is a plaque within the boat commemorating the beloved local scuba instructor.

Tracey Shipwreck Dive Overview:

With the bow pointing north towards the Merci Jesus and the stern sitting south towards the Jay Scutti, you could explore beyond the Tracey on one dive, if the current is right.

However, the 131′ long Tracey does provide divers with more than enough boat to explore on one single dive. Be sure to take a look inside the wheelhouse before plunging under the midship platform – an overhead environment suitable for even beginner divers.

For more advanced divers, the Tracey has a plethora of ports worthy of exploring inside and out. Just dive within your limits and only wreck penetrate if you’ve been properly trained!

Dive Planning on the Tracey Shipwreck:

When available, we highly recommend Reef Smart Cards for any dive. They create beautiful waterproof cards that play a critical role in your dive plan. Additionally, we use their Dive Guide book for all of our diving in the Fort Lauderdale area.

For more: 23+ Dive Planning Resources for South Florida

What Dive Shops go to the Tracey Shipwreck and Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek?

• American Dream Dive Charters behind the Hilton on 17th Avenue just south of downtown. They run a great, clean, and basic operation aboard their Newton Dive Boat. Don’t hesitate to book with their crew!
• Sea Experience in Bahia Mar Marina on Fort Lauderdale Beach. This is a full dive shop with classes, charters, retail, and guides. If you’re a new open water diver, we suggest you book with Sea Experience to ensure everything is taken care of. If you want a dive guide, call and request for (Andrew or Laura) and tell them we sent you!

More Photos of the Tracey Shipwreck in Fort Lauderdale:

For more on the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek and its shipwrecks:

• How to Dive the Fort Lauderdale Wreck Trek
• Diving the Jay Scutti Shipwreck
• Diving the Merci Jesus

Help Protect the Coral Reef During Your Dive

Sunscreen! Shocking, I know! In fact, many popular sunscreen brands contain extremely harmful chemicals to our coral! Specifically, oxybenzone and octinoxate.

Because of this, we’ve partnered with our favorite brand of reef safe sunscreen, Stream2Sea! We want to get YOU discounts so you can help save our coral reefs with reef safe sunscreen!