Built in 1937, the Cayman Salvager was originally a buoy tender and was then later used as a cable layer and then as a freighter, though recent research has questioned the validity of these long-held claims of the Salvager’s original uses. It is known for certain that she did transport Cuban refugees in 1979 during the Mariel boatlift were Cubans were freely allowed to leave their country and head towards the United States. This transporting of Cubans, however, was not necessary legal for a US vessel and the Salvager was seized by United States authorities. She sank in while at dock after her seizure. After she sunk, plans were made to raise the boat and then re-sink her in 300 feet of water to become an attraction for wreck fishers. The boat sank, however, on her way to the planned site and landed in 90 feet of water. She originally landed on her side but several hurricanes throughout the years have put her right-side up, knocked her back down, and brought her back up.

In preparation for her original planned sinking, the boat was stripped and cleaned. This allowed the wreck to foster more sea life and today, a large variety of fish species make the Salvager their home. Some of the most common species are silversides and the predatory bar jacks, a few 6-foot-long moray eels, and a friendly 200-pound jewfish. Even though the boat has been thoroughly stripped, penetration is not recommended on first dives because of the boat’s exterior and depth