About Revisions The Xing da Bermuda Max Depth: 101-110ft/31-34m Average Viz: 101-110ft/31-34m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Sand Aquatic Life: Plenty To See 1/06/2009 9:15 AM

1997 - Chinese Freighter
This 221 foot freighter became the target of a US Immigration sting operation to capture those trying to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United States. On October 6th 1996, crewed by suspected members of the Chinese Mafia known as the Triad, the Xing Da was to rendezvous at a pre-arranged place in mid-Atlantic with a second, smaller ship to transfer the "cargo" and supposedly continue on to America. Instead, what they found 140 miles off Bermuda was the U.S. Coast Guard and a regiment of the U.S. Marines.

After being towed into Bermuda, broken down beyond repair and destined for a water grave, the Bermudian Government negotiated for procession of the freighter. On May 15th 1997, the Xing Da was towed past the seaward edge of Bermuda’s northwest facing barrier reef and sent to the bottom where she was successfully placed even keel in 104 feet of water.
The maximum depth is 106 feet, although if you stay on or in the ship, you should not descend past 100 feet. The Deck is in about 80 feet. The top of the cabin is in 60 feet. The very top of the mast is in just 40 feet.

The visibility at this site is typically excellent, averaging over 100 feet in the summer and over 200 feet during the winter months. The only thing to be aware of is that there can be a strong surface current in this area. The wreck is so large, that it takes several dives to see it all. The best way is to split it in halves to try and see it all thoroughly.

A school of large Ocean Barracuda are often seen here. As well as a resident school of huge Grey Snapper, which hang out in the shade of the bow. This is also an area where you can see Black Fin Grouper (or Rock Fish as they are known locally). There is often a school of hundreds of Blue Chromis above the wreck, as well as many different Plankton and Jelly Fish in the water column. The corals that surround the ship are all in excellent condition.

The Xing Da was in such poor condition, that a storm during the winter of ’97/’98 completely demolished her. The wreckage is now spread over an extensive area at depths in excess of 100 feet and has now proved to be unsuitable for normal recreational diving.

REMEMBER.... THE REEF IS FRAGILE! PLEASE DO NOT TOUCH OR TREAD ON LIVING CORAL.