History of Project Shipwreck Miss Lourdies
(Miracle of Life)

June 29th, 2008

U.S Customs and Border Patrol seized a vessel with 154 kilos of cocaine aboard the 165-foot freighter named Miss Lourdies. The vessel was confiscated by U.S customs.

US Customs and Border Patrol agents doing a random inspection Thursday (26 June) found more than 150 kilos of cocaine inside a freighter on the Miami River. Agents who randomly inspect ships docked at the Port of Miami and on the Miami River noticed an irregular noise when they tapped on the hull of the Haitian freighter near the 2200 block of Northwest South River Drive. When they broke through the wall, the agents found a steel compartment that was bolted shut and filled with 154 kilos of cocaine.

"They actually had to take the bunk beds and the walls out of the crew cabins, open up a metal compartment, and this is where they found the cocaine," said Zachary Mann of Customs and Border Protection.

According to the ship's log, the 165-foot freighter named Miss Lourdies was in Miami to pick up cars, bicycles and mattresses to sell in Haiti.

"It's a significant find. We used to have a lot of activity like this on the river," Mann said. "It just goes to show you that we're still out here looking, and today was a very significant day in that we found a large quantity of cocaine and we've taken it off the streets."

Authorities detained six people in connection with the drugs. Customs and Border Patrol agents are trying to determine who knew the cocaine was in the ship and who was trying to sell it. United States Customs and Border Patrol (US Customs) confiscated the freighter after performing a routine inspection along the Miami River in June 2008. Agents found more than 150 kilos of cocaine inside the freighter in a concealed steel compartment. The freighter is currently docked near the 2200 block of Northwest South River Drive on the Miami River in Miami.

October 6th, 2008

Ken Banks contacted Pavan, owner of Dixie Divers, to let him know there is a possible vessel available in Miami.

November 16th, 2008

Dan Fasano committed to help pay for the cost of cleaning the new shipwreck.

December 2nd, 2008

Deerfield Beach city commissioners voted accepting the ship to make it an artificial reef of Deerfield Beach with no cost to the city.

March 13th, 2009

Contract signed between stakeholders, Dixie Divers A. Pavan (financial provider), Chad Grecsek City of Deerfield Beach (government agency) and Bruce Sugar Bunnell Foundation, Inc. Environment Cleaning Contractor.

March 20th, 2009

Vessel was transferred from U.S Customs to the City of Deerfield Beach and later to the Bunnell Foundation, Inc. Environmental Cleaning Contractor on port on Miami River.

March 20th, 2009

Vessel was transferred from U.S Customs to the City of Deerfield Beach and later to the Bunnell Foundation, Inc. Environmental Cleaning Contractor on port on Miami River.

March 23rd, 2009

Bunnell Foundation, Inc start cleaning process on private dock at 2750 NW N. River Drive, off Miami River.

Target date: Sinking of Miss Lourdies
(Miracle of Life Shipwreck) Saturday, June 6th, 2009