SS Jacob Luckenbach Wreck

A 469-foot steel cargo steamship. In July 1953, she collided with the SS Hawaiian Pilot in dense fog and sank in 180 feet of water. In 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard completed a massive $20 million operation to extract over 100,000 gallons of heavy bunker fuel from her hull, preserving it as a historic deep-water artificial reef.

Open in interactive map Open source record

Record typeshipwreck

LocationGulf of the Farallones, 17 miles west-southwest of the Golden Gate, San Francisco

Probability indexHigh

Land statusGreater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Strictly Prohibited; protected underwater cultural resource)

Research coordinates37.6728, -122.7934

SourceNOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (RULET Assessment #50130)

Field Research Notes

This is a deep-water wreck resting at 180 feet. Due to extreme depths, strong currents, heavy commercial vessel traffic, and frequent zero-visibility conditions, this site is restricted to highly advanced technical divers. No salvage or disturbance of the wreck is permitted under marine sanctuary regulations.

Recommended Gear

Trimix dive rig, Strobe lights, Line reel, Emergency beacon

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