Sea Girt Artificial Reef

Sea Girt Artificial Reef

3.6 Nautical Miles off Sea Girt, 1.33 sq miles
Depth: 60-75 ft [download]

The Sea Girt reef is located atop an underwater ridge known as the "Klondike". This is an area of clean sandy bottom and usually has relatively good visibility. Fish life abounds on all sites in this reef, although lobstering is slim. There are many more Army tanks than shown here, as well as quite a bit of concrete rubble scattered throughout the reef. The Sea Girt Reef is one of the oldest artificial reef sites in New Jersey. Reef-building activities at this site date back to 1937. Minimum clearance at mean low water is 50 feet.

If you look at the state's official record, linked above, the four older sites that are outside the official reef boundaries are not listed.



Dykes reef
Type:
artificial reef, schooner barge, USA
( The small smokestack in the pictures is for an electrical generator. )
Built:
1919, Union Shipbuilding, Baltimore MD USA
Specs:
( 306 x 35 ft ) 2072 tons, 14 crew
Sponsor:
Modern Transportation Co.
Sunk:
July 1983 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°06.964' -73°57.571'
Depth:
65 ft



Car Float #52 reef
The Car Float barge is pushed up the Navesink River below Twin Lights. The tugboat is the Billy D, later sunk on the Shark River Reef.
Type:
artificial reef, barge
Specs:
( 270 x 39 ft )
Sponsor:
East Coast Tender Services
Sunk:
Wednesday February 10, 1988 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°07.135' -73°56.919'


Seahorse

Hippocampus erectus

Size: to 6"

Habitat: Weedy protected shore waters.

Notes:

Look for Seahorses in still weedy areas, where they cling to plants and objects with their prehensile tails. Color and body form are highly variable, as these masters of camouflage adapt to their surroundings. Strays may be found at sea, or even washed up on the beach.