M/V Miss Lourdies, a 165-foot cargo freighter confiscated by US Customs in June 2008, was sunk on June 6 off Deerfield Beach.

In June 2008, according to Arilton Pavan of Pompano Beach-based Dixie Divers, during an inspection at the Port of Miami, customs agents noticed an irregular noise when they tapped the hull of the Haitian flag freighter. After agents broke through the wall they found a steel compartment filled with 154 kilos of cocaine. The ship’s log stated that the 165-foot freighter was in Miami to pick up cars, bicycles and mattresses.

With the approval of Chad Grecsek, assistant to the director of public works in Deerfield Beach, Pavan and Dixie Divers helped in the regulatory permitting process for the artificial reef and raised $20,000 to clean and sink the ship. Funds were obtained through private donations from the local diving community.

The ship was scuttled in approximately 110 feet of water and secured with chains and anchors. The vessel should provide habitat for fish and other marine life as well as serve as a fascinating new dive site.

Jeff Torode of Pompano-based South Florida Diving Headquarters said that a video camera was mounted to the vessel for its descent. Stay tuned for details on how to watch the video.