The Monkada (often spelled as ‘Moncada’) was the third and final Koni II-class frigate ordered by the Cuban Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria). The ship, designated ‘ Hull 255, SKR-201’, was built by Krasniy Metallist Zovod (USSR) between 1986 and 1988 and finally commissioned on April 10 th , 1988. The Koni II (or Project 1159T by their Russian denomination) are variations on the standard Ko ni’s, having been modified for tropical waters.
Monkada bore the hull number ‘353’. When it became time to retire these 3 ships, the Cuban Government decided to have the ship scuttled as a dive attraction and artificial reef in the Parque Submarino Cayo Piedra del Norte. This underwater wildlife park lies in the vicinity of the popular tourist destination of Varadero , Cuba . It is rumored that Fidel Castro promoted the project, being an avid diver himself. The ship was finally put to rest on July 16 th , 1998. It remains unclear why, just prior to the scuttling, the hull number was changed to ‘383’. This had lead to some confusion to the exact identity of the wreck, as the dive site is now most commonly referred to as ‘Patrol Boat 383’.
Wreck is resting upright in approx 29 m of water on a clear, sandy seabed. Coralgrowth is still limited due to the recentness of the scuttling (1998). The bridge is accessible for scuba divers. The wreck has a very nice appearance since all weaponry (guns, rocket launchers etc.) is still fitted. Waters surrounding the wreck generally provide excellent visibility yet with limited wildlife.
Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxMFo1jmKkQ
Monkada bore the hull number ‘353’. When it became time to retire these 3 ships, the Cuban Government decided to have the ship scuttled as a dive attraction and artificial reef in the Parque Submarino Cayo Piedra del Norte. This underwater wildlife park lies in the vicinity of the popular tourist destination of Varadero , Cuba . It is rumored that Fidel Castro promoted the project, being an avid diver himself. The ship was finally put to rest on July 16 th , 1998. It remains unclear why, just prior to the scuttling, the hull number was changed to ‘383’. This had lead to some confusion to the exact identity of the wreck, as the dive site is now most commonly referred to as ‘Patrol Boat 383’.
Wreck is resting upright in approx 29 m of water on a clear, sandy seabed. Coralgrowth is still limited due to the recentness of the scuttling (1998). The bridge is accessible for scuba divers. The wreck has a very nice appearance since all weaponry (guns, rocket launchers etc.) is still fitted. Waters surrounding the wreck generally provide excellent visibility yet with limited wildlife.
Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxMFo1jmKkQ
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