New Jersey Scuba Diving

Type:

shipwreck, barge

Depth:

60 ft

This is an old wooden push barge that was loaded with large pipes and other construction material. The pipes are mostly 2-4 ft in diameter, like sewer pipes. These are found in the middle of the wreck, which is mostly sunken into the sand. The bow and stern form large enclosed compartments. The stern compartment is mostly collapsed, but the bow compartment is large may be easily penetrated through an opening on the starboard side. This is probably the best place to look for lobsters, although this wreck probably gets hit once a week or more, so they are few and far between. There are also very large Blackfish in here, and all the other fish on this wreck are also very good-sized.

The bottom is silty and the viz, usually not good to begin with, quickly drops to zero if you touch a fin down, so a wreck reel would be prudent. Instead of "Pipe Barge", perhaps this wreck should be known as the "Monofilament Barge", since there is so much of it about. Definitely bring a sharp knife.

Site sketch from Wreck Valley CD-ROM courtesy of Capt. Dan Berg