Dive Type: Wreck Dive
Typical Depth Range: 80 to 130
feet
Expertise Required: Advanced
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 After
it's launch in 1937 the Coast Guard Cutter
Bibb's first mission was to protect threatened
merchants in the Atlantic from tensions of the
war. The Bibb rescued many sailors of sunken
ships including 61 form the British merchant
ship S.S. Penmar and 202 after the merchant ship
Henry S. Mallory was sunk by torpedoes from
German submarines U-609 and U-625. Following an
illustrious career and having saved over 600
lives, the Bibb was decommissioned on September
30, 1985.
On Thanksgiving weekend 1987 the Coast Guard
Cutter Bibb and Duane were sunk to continue
their service as an artificial reefs about one
mile from
Molasses Reef.
Although they are sister ships, they are two
completely different dives. Unlike the perfect
pinpoint upright landing of
Duane, the Bibb
lies on her starboard side approximately four
tenths of a mile from the Duane.
The sideways 90° orientation and deeper depths
make the Bibb a more challenging dive, therefore
Bibb is less preferred dive but often uncrowded.
The Bibb offers much to see. Her screws are
easily accessible due to lying on her side and
larger wildlife have been known to frequent her.
Keep an eye out for huge turtles, amberjack,
rays and an occasional giant whale shark.
These photos were taken by Will James, a sailor
who served aboard the Bibb from 1975 to 1977.
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