6.5 Nautical Miles off Harvey Cedars
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This reef is also scattered with Army tanks, and tire units in the east ( not shown. ) Minimum clearance at mean low water is 50 feet.
Redbird car on the reef
The pilot house was removed prior to sinking. The Aqua II appears to be more of a schooner barge than a barge, and is certainly the oldest vessel sunk on the Garden State North Artificial Reef.
Photo courtesy of McAllister Towing
intact, semi-upright, surrounded by tire units
A close shave during sinking. Unlike the Spartan, the moveable
pilot house of this canal tug is in the up position.
The Fatuk was a Japanese long-line fishing ship, converted from a refrigerated freighter. It was confiscated by the U.S. Customs Service for attempting to smuggle 2000 pounds of marijuana into the country in a freezer.
As is evident in the photo above, the Fatuk went over on her port side. There is no longer any sign of the superstructure, and the vessel has turned over about 135 degrees in total - almost upsidedown.
The rudder and propeller
Looking forward along the starboard bilge keel - the highest point on the wreck
The bow, with a large mooring bit
A distinctive bit of machinery at the break near where the bridge would be
Making history - the Good Times was the first vessel sunk by the
New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife's ( then ) new Artificial Reef Program.
The engine was removed and the wooden hull was filled with concrete and tire units. The Good Times broke apart after only a few weeks on the bottom, and is now completely disintegrated. The program has had enormous successes since this first small beginning.
on starboard side, reef also includes 5 tanks
Details on the history of the "John Dobilas" are sketchy.
"John Dobilas" is a twin to the "Mako Mania" and the "Captain Bart". See construction for more photos of this class of ship.
Side-scan sonar image, showing a great deal of detail
Side-scan sonar image
This barge was actually used to transport molasses from the Caribbean to a New York distillery to make rum. Molasses is a thick syrup by-product from the processing of the sugarcane or sugar beet into sugar.
One of the oldest sites in the reef, the Molasses barge is falling apart and opening up, and the fish love it.
Plumbing and junk
The big notch at the stern, where the nose of a tugboat would fit
steel hull, engine removed & hull filled with concrete
loaded with tire units prior to sinking
surrounded by tire units
Side-scan sonar image of the Pessolano, showing a very nice
sonar shadow of the deckhouse profile.
This barge was sunk by Navy Seals in a demolitions exercise, and shows large blast holes. The reef also includes 5 tanks.
I make no claim as to the accuracy, validity, or appropriateness of any information found in this website. I will not be responsible for the consequences of any action that is based upon information found here. Scuba diving is an adventure sport, and as always, you alone are responsible for your own safety and well being.
Copyright © 1996-2008 Rich Galiano
unless otherwise noted
