C-53 Felipe Xicoténcatl Wreck

A former US Navy minesweeper (USS Scuffle), later the Mexican Navy's C-53, sunk as an artificial reef off Chankanaab in 2000. About 46–56 m long, she sits upright on sand at around 24 m with the superstructure reaching roughly 12–14 m. Coral, schooling silversides and morays now cover the hull.

Facts

• Region: Mexico – Cozumel & Caribbean Coast
• Area: Cozumel
• Depth: 14–24 m
• Level: intermediate
• Current: low
• Type: wreck
• Coordinates: 20.4452, -87.00053 (approximate)
• Highlights: ex-US Navy minesweeper (USS Scuffle), upright on sand, engine room penetration (trained divers), silversides, moray eels
• Tips: Outside is fine for open-water divers with good buoyancy; penetration only with wreck training. Sinking year is given as 1999 or 2000 by different sources.

Sources

• https://blog.padi.com/mexicos-best-wrecks-to-dive/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Scuffle
• https://cozumeldivecenter.com/cozumel-dive-sites
• https://www.bluewaterdivetravel.com/top-dive-sites-cozumel
• https://www.wannadive.net/spot/Central_America/Mexico/Yucatan/Cozumel_Isalnd/C-53_Xicotencatl/index.html