The USS Curb was a Diver-class rescue and salvage ship, commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in 1943 and commissioned in 1944, she was part of a class of ships specifically designed to perform critical tasks such as towing, firefighting, recovery, and salvage operations—vital roles during wartime when damaged ships and naval operations demanded quick and skilled response.

Built at the Basalt Rock Company in Napa, California, the USS Curb measured roughly 213 feet in length and was equipped with heavy-duty winches, towing gear, and onboard diving facilities. These features made her capable of lifting sunken or disabled vessels and assisting in battlefield support far from the safety of naval bases.

Though she missed the height of action in WWII, the Curb served the U.S. Navy in various locations including the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, continuing to provide logistical and technical support during peacetime and Cold War-era naval operations.

After several decades of service, the USS Curb was officially decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register. Like many obsolete naval vessels, she faced either scrapping or a more meaningful end—being transformed into an artificial reef.

In 1983, after being thoroughly cleaned and environmentally prepared, the Curb was intentionally sunk off the coast of Key West, Florida. This was part of a broader initiative by the state and local governments to create artificial reefs that would:

• Provide new habitats for marine life

• Stimulate recreational diving and fishing

• Alleviate pressure on natural coral reefs

The wreck of the USS Curb now rests on the ocean floor at a depth of about 180 feet, making it accessible primarily to technical divers due to the depth exceeding the standard recreational diving limit of 130 feet. Positioned upright and mostly intact, the Curb has become a vibrant underwater habitat teeming with marine life.

Over the decades, her steel hull and superstructure have been colonized by coral, sponges, and algae. Large schools of fish, including snapper, grouper, jacks, and even reef sharks, now patrol her decks. The structure provides excellent cover and feeding grounds, turning a once utilitarian naval vessel into a thriving marine sanctuary.

The transformation of the USS Curb from a warship to a coral-covered reef is emblematic of how human-made structures can be repurposed to benefit the environment. In death, the Curb provides life—supporting coral growth and fish populations while drawing divers and researchers eager to study marine biodiversity and wreck morphology.

It also serves as a historical monument, linking those who dive her wreckage with the sailors who once walked her decks. Unlike a preserved museum ship, the Curb is not on display above ground. Her story must be sought below the waves, where time, salt, and sea life now tell her tale.

The wreck of the USS Curb lies quietly beneath the surface, unmarked by mooring buoys. Locating it requires a standard bottom finder, GPS coordinates, and often a grappling anchor to secure into the structure. Currents here can range from completely still to wildly unmanageable, depending on the tides and the powerful Gulf Stream, so conditions vary from dive to dive.

As you descend and settle onto the wreck, a welcoming committee awaits: a dozen or more massive, curious Goliath grouper hover around the wreck like guardians. These gentle giants act as sentinels, cautiously observing as divers explore their steel domain.

Perched upright at the bow, the Curb presents a stunning sight—especially for winch enthusiasts. Three enormous winches, once essential to the ship’s role as a cable layer, are now encrusted in vibrant marine growth. Cigar minnows and schools of baitfish dart between them, while the groupers maintain their distance, ever-watchful.

If these giants ever decided to defend their turf more aggressively, wreck diving at the Curb might come to an abrupt end!

Penetrating the interior is relatively straightforward. However, due to the ship’s proximity to a busy shipping channel feeding into Key West Harbor, fine silt covers most interior spaces. Even the gentlest fin kick or a single breath of exhaled bubbles can turn visibility into a murky haze. Just aft of the bow are the lower crew quarters and the upper pilothouse. Most pilothouse artifacts—such as the wheel, telegraph, and compass—have long since been removed by earlier visitors.

Beyond the cabins lies the upper work deck, home to yet another massive winch and hoisting structure. A long-abandoned fishing net, caught and stretched across this section, stands as evidence of a past misfortune.

Further back, the lower working platform—once the main salvage deck—spreads out across the stern. Huge towing bitts remain, clearly identifying the Curb's role as a tow and salvage vessel.

Originally sunk as an artificial reef, the Curb has since become a magnet for fishermen. As a result, the wreck is wrapped in thousands of feet of monofilament line, tangled fishing lures, and hooks. These nearly invisible hazards pose a serious entanglement risk, so every diver should carry a sharp cutting tool—it will likely be put to use.

The USS Curb provides an incredible underwater experience for both new and experienced technical divers. Resting in depths between 150 and 185 feet, the wreck sits within shallow technical diving limits, making it a top-notch site for both exploration and training.