A snorkeler explores the remains of the Lofthus, located in 15 to 20 feet of water
off Manalapan. The ship, which wrecked 117 years ago, is a state-designated underwater archaeological preserve.
Photo by Dan Volker/South Florida Dive Journal
By Willie Howard
Rocky hard-bottom spots and wrecks along the beaches of southern Palm Beach County offer snorkelers the opportunity to find a wide variety of fish and other marine life.
There’s also maritime history to be explored under the waves in 15 to 25 feet of water off the beaches of Delray Beach and Manalapan.
The easiest to find among the near-shore wrecks is the SS Inchulva, better known as the Delray wreck because the remains of the 386-foot British steamship can be found in 25 feet of water about 150 yards off the south end of Delray’s public beach. (Coordinates: 26/27.213 N and 80/03.037 W).
The Inchulva was carrying lumber, wheat and cotton from Texas to Virginia when it sank during a hurricane on Sept. 11, 1903, killing 9 of its 28-member crew.
A state historical marker on the beach-side approach to Casuarina Road commemorates the wreck, which is scattered in five sections.
If you plan to swim out to the Delray wreck from the beach, bring a float-mounted dive flag.
Snorkelers are required by law to use dive flags on floats outside of guarded swimming areas so they are visible to passing boaters.— and the Delray wreck is outside the beach swimming area that is protected by city lifeguards.
Dan Volker, editor and publisher of the South Florida Dive Journal, suggests snorkeling with a kayak or inflatable beach float in addition to towing a dive flag. Larger floating objects are easier to spot than the dive flag alone, and they give snorkelers a place to rest.
Snorkelers interested in fish can bring a plastic-coated fish identification guide with them — or study a book such as Reef Fish Identification by Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach before heading out.
Volker enjoys photographing the colorful blennies he finds when snorkeling and diving because he says the small tropical fish have such human-like faces.
When choosing a day for snorkeling, look for a west wind or calm day that leaves the ocean flat near the beach. If possible, consult a lifeguard before heading out.
In the waters off Manalapan, the remains of the 222-foot Lofthus can be found in 15 to 20 feet of water about three-quarters of a mile north of Boynton Inlet. The best access to the state-designated underwater archaeological preserve is by boat.
The Lofthus is about 175 yards off the beach. Its parts are scattered over an area measuring 80 yards by 15 yards, with the ship’s bow oriented northeast. (Coordinates: 26/33.776 N and 80/02.309 W).
Three main sections of the Lofthus rise as much as 6 feet off the bottom. Built of iron and steel, the Lofthus washed ashore on Feb. 4, 1898, while carrying lumber.
The Norwegian ship was blown apart with dynamite so the lumber could be salvaged. Some 117 years later, divers and snorkelers find fish around its twisted remains.
“It’s a pretty dive, and it has a lot of fish on it,” Volker said.
Veteran dive boat operator Lynn Simmons of Splashdown Divers, based at Boynton Harbor Marina, often takes divers and snorkelers to the Lofthus.
“We are blessed with lots of good stuff out here,” Simmons said.
Parents with young snorkelers can try searching for fish in the waters off Gulfstream Park. Wave action has exposed fish-attracting hard bottom near the beach.
Capt. Phil Wotton of Palm Beach County Ocean Rescue said a calm day and high tide create the best conditions for snorkeling along the shoreline at the park.
Gulfstream Park, located at 4489 N. Ocean Blvd., is open from sunrise to sunset daily. Parking is free.
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Blue marlin released: Justin Cohen, 15, of Morganville, N.J., caught a small blue marlin Jan. 10 while fishing with Capt. Geno Pratt on the Geno IV charter boat based at Boynton Harbor Marina. The marlin, which was released, hit a trolled ballyhoo in 550 feet of water east of Boynton Inlet.
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Captains, crew members to be honored: The International Game Fish Association will honor talented boat captains and crew members during its Legendary Captains and Crew ceremony set for 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at the IGFA in Dania Beach. Tickets are $75. Call Denise Hartman at (954) 924-4243 or email: Dhartman@igfa.org.
Scott Robins of Miami Beach won most outstanding catch
in the Silver Sailfish Derby tournament for this 138.8-pound
yellowfin tuna caught Jan. 9 off Boynton Beach.
He fought the tuna for 90 minutes on 20-pound-test line.
Photo courtesy of Weez in the Keys
Big yellowfin tuna taken off Boynton: Scott Robins of Miami Beach was fishing for sailfish Jan. 9 during the Silver Sailfish Derby tournament when he hooked something unexpected — a 138.8-pound yellowfin tuna.
Robins was fishing in 100 feet of exceptionally blue water off the Boynton Beach water tower when the big tuna hit a live goggle-eye dangled under a fishing kite.
Robins, fishing aboard Weez in the Keys with Capt. Chris Zielinski, fought the tuna for 90 minutes using 20-pound-test line. His tuna won the Louis S. Boski Trophy for most outstanding catch in this year’s Derby.
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Tip of the Month: Fish offshore for kingfish, which often begin to school during February. Check with drift boats and other anglers to find out whether kingfish are being caught and, if so, where they are holding.
If you’re planning to eat kingfish, target the smaller fish ranging from 24 to 32 inches. Try fishing with dead sardines on triple hooks tied to 50-pound-test leader. Use a quarter-ounce of weight and a colorful “duster” that covers the weight directly above the hook. Kingfish have sharp teeth, so bring pliers to remove the hooks (after the fish stops moving) or cut the leader above the hooks.
While drifting, let your bait out and bring it in frequently. Kingfish like moving baits. Kingfish will also hit trolled spoons, vertical jigs and live baits such as blue runners, sardines or threadfin herring (greenies).
Minimum size: 24 inches (to the fork of the tail). Daily bag limit: Two per person.
More information
To see diving photos from the Lofthus, go to www.splashdowndivers.com/wrecks/lofthus.
Underwater photos also can be found at www.facebook.com/wild.diving.
The locations of artificial reefs and mooring buoys that give boaters access to snorkeling areas can be found at www.pbcgov.com/erm/coastal/reef/.
Snorkeling and dive sites around Palm Beach County will be featured in the online video show Beyond the Beach at www.bylnetwork.com.
Willie Howard is a freelance writer and licensed boat captain. Reach him at tiowillie@bellsouth.net.
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