A large blue and white cargo ship sails on calm ocean water under a clear sky.
A fish swims near the rusted, submerged exterior of a sunken ship underwater, with other fish visible in the background.
Several fish swim around the sunken structure of a shipwreck under blue-green water, with the ship's tower visible in the background.

M/V DEEP STIM III was originally an exploration vessel built in the 1990s and used in the oil and gas industry. The 239-foot (73-meter) vessel was deployed in January 2024 as part of a tri-county partnership between Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Walton County and Visit Panama City Beach. Support also came from the Coastal Conservation Association, Emerald Coast Reef Association and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association. Signs featuring the names of these partner organizations hang from the superstructure near the bow, while a mix of artificial reef pyramids and modules provide complexity to the large, open back deck. The engine holds are open and accessible to divers able to dive deep enough. The wreck sits upright on a sandy seabed at a depth of 135 feet (41 meters) and provides nearly 65 feet (20 meters) of relief up to the top of the wheelhouse.