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Christ of the Abyss Statue & Diveheart Foundation: Honoring Gabe Spataro – by Patty Cline, Associate Publisher, Scuba Diving Industry Magazine
Jim Elliott’s film, The Legend of the Statue | A Diveheart Documen- tary , pays homage to the incred- ible legacy of Gabe Spataro and the Christ of the Abyss statue in Key Largo. The story, as Elliott tells it, is a remarkable journey of inspiration, perseverance, and the enduring connection between humanity and the sea. The inspiration for the documentary began when Elliott
seafarers while highlighting the deep connection between the Italian diving community and the wider world. The third statue, now in Key Largo, was commissioned by the Cressi family as a gift to the United States. This statue was intended to honor the burgeoning American diving community and provide a spiritual guardian for divers in the western hemisphere, much like the original in Italy. Entrusted to the Underwater Society of America, the statue’s journey to Florida became Gabe Spataro’s mission. Gabe Spataro’s Role
first met Spataro through Dive- heart, an organization dedicated to adaptive scuba diving. De- spite being legally blind, Spataro’s energy and spirit left a profound impact on Elliott. Over time, Elliott learned of Spataro’s pivotal role in bringing the Christ of the Abyss statue to Florida. “Here was this man
Photo of Barbara Doernbach by Stephen Frink
Spataro, a Korean War veteran and passionate diver, took it upon himself to ensure the statue’s safe passage. He coordi- nated with the Italian steamship line, the National Guard, and local businesses to transport the nine-foot, 800-pound bronze statue, all without a budget.
who had played such an essential role in diving history, yet very few people knew his story,” said Elliott. “I felt it was important to document his journey and the signifi- cance of the statue.” The Journey of the Christ of the Abyss Statues
Spataro’s resourcefulness and determination were leg- endary. “He always joked that his background as a master supply sergeant in the Army made him the perfect guy for the job,” Elliott recalled. Transporting the statue was no easy feat. One particu-
The story of the Christ of the Abyss statues begins in Italy. The original statue, commis- sioned in 1954 by the Cressi family—founders of the renowned Cressi Company— was created to honor Dario Gonzatti, a pioneer of scuba diving who tragically lost his life in 1947. Sculpted by Guido Gal-
larly tense moment came when loading the statue onto a plane—the crate barely fit, and there was a real risk of it top- pling. Spataro’s humor carried the day: “If we had crashed, at least we’d have crashed with Christ.” The statue finally ar- rived in Florida in December 1962 and was installed underwa-
Dive Heart Filming in Cayman.
letti, the statue was placed underwater in the Bay of San Fruttuoso near Portofino, Italy. It symbolizes peace, pro- tection, and the spirit of exploration, as well as commem- orating those who have lost their lives in the sea. A second statue was created in 1961 and gifted to Grenada in Dominica to honor the Italian crew and pas- sengers of the ship Bianca C , which caught fire and sank. This statue memorializes resilience and solidarity among
ter in 1965 at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Spataro’s dedication went beyond logistics. He also worked tirelessly to share the story of the statue, connect- ing it to the wider diving community. His efforts were in- strumental in raising awareness about the cultural and spiritual significance of the Christ of the Abyss. Over the years, the statue has become a beacon for divers, symbol- izing a shared love for the ocean and a commitment to
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