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Pinta
 7 miles east off, Shark River Inlet, NJ
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Max Depth: 81-90ft/25-27m
Average Viz: 21-25ft/6-8m
Entry Type: Boat
Bottom Composition: Sand
Aquatic Life: Plenty To See
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Rating: 3.75 by 8 divers
Spring: 50-55°F/10-13°C
Winter: Under 50°F/10°C
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Pinta is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located at 7 miles east off, Shark River Inlet, NJ. This dive site has an average rating of 3.75 out of 5 from 8 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 81-90ft/25-27m. The average visibility is 21-25ft/6-8m.
How two ships in the age of radar and on a clear day could collide on the open sea is a mystery. She collided with the City of Perth (a considerably larger vessel) May 8th 1963. Nonetheless, we now have the Pinta as one of the best dive sites in New Jersey. This relatively small vessel 194’ two hold freighter lies on its port side on a clean sandy bottom. It is still quite recognizable as a ship, and is the perfect size for sightseeing - you can swim from end to end several times on a single tank of air. It also makes a good multi-level training dive.
At the time of the collision she was carrying a cargo of lumber. She went down on her side and for many years although picturesque and a good spot for lobster in the cargo of wood planks the small size of her after house made penetration difficult if not dangerous. A number of years ago a storm ripped open the house exposing the diesel and a number of brass gauges were recovered. She’s still a good lobster dive but I find her far more interesting now.
Captain Al
SEA LION
The first time I saw the Pinta in 1995, the hull was still pretty much intact ( as illustrated below ), but it is now really beginning to decay. The bow is still in good shape, but the rest of the wreck is wrecked. Little of the top hull-side remains aft of the break amidships. The stern is exploded, and I believe the engine room is now open.
YouTube;
youtube.com/watch?v=9JtMGeNXb08More info;
aquaexplorers.com/pinta.htm