INVESTIGATING UNIDENTIFIED WRECK

Divers Visit Horseshoe Reef Site

Twenty-one instructors and members of the nonprofit organization Diving with A Purpose (DWP) joined Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s Maritime Heritage Team on June 4 to document an unidentified shipwreck near Horseshoe Reef off Key Largo.

The shipwreck, lying in 20-feet of water at the base of an inshore coral patch reef, is one of more than 800 historical sites located within sanctuary waters and appears to be the remains of a mid-19th century sailing vessel. Little is known about the shipwreck, and the underwater mapping efforts of the DWP team could reveal its history.

DWP and sanctuary researchers have collaborated for over a decade to investigate underwater cultural heritage and discover untold stories of Florida Keys history. Their week-long visit will culminate in graduation for instructor candidates.

DWP is dedicated to the conservation and protection of submerged heritage resources by providing education, training, certification and field experience to adults and youth in the fields of maritime archaeology and ocean conservation. A special focus of DWP is the protection, documentation and interpretation of African slave trade shipwrecks and the maritime history and culture of African-Americans.

— Contributed

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

Eva Drozdetskaya Sophomore, Key West

Eva Drozdetskaya earned an impressive 9-3 record this season for the Conchs, doing so with what coach Elliot Manton called “lots of talent paired with hard work.”

“Eva is someone who will go above and beyond for any one of her teammates,” he added. “On top of that, she works extremely hard on the tennis court every day to improve her game.”

Drozdetskaya consistently bested her Keys opponents in play, and her unwavering improvement makes the underclassmen a serious contender in the future of Conch tennis.