Minesweeper Shipwreck; C-53 Felipe Xicotencati
With a shoulder in the sand at about 90' looking up, this is the bow view of the sunken minesweeper C-53 Felipe Xicotencati in Cozumel, Mexico.
The ship was built in 1944 and was part of the U.S. Navy during WWII (USS Scuffles AM-298) and through the early 60s. In '62, the Mexican government bought the 184' ship with a 33' beam and renamed it. Thirty-eight years later (1999-2000), it was de-commissioned and sunk as a scuba diving attraction.
Before sinking, the ship was stripped of dangerous equipment, cleaned and large holes were cut in the sides and upper decks. The holes allow diver access to well-lit upper deck passages for shallow wreck exploration.