Fire Island Artificial Reef

Fire Island Artificial Reef

2.0 nautical miles south of Fire Island Lighthouse, 1.33 sq miles
Depth: 62 - 73 ft

Fire Island Artificial Reef

Not Shown:

  • 1,500 automobile tires


M60 tanks reef
M60 tanks undergo a thorough cleaning before use as reefs

The Artificial Reef Program used four types of obsolete Army armored vehicles as artificial reef materials off the New Jersey coast. These were cleaned at local military bases, loaded onto barges for transport, and pushed off at their final destination. Once the Army had disposed of its excess inventory, the program ceased, around 1999. The Artificial Reef Program has sunk almost 400 tanks altogether, far too many to list them here in this website.



rock reef
A hopper barge full of rock

All manner of concrete, steel, and stone rubble from dredging, demolition projects, and other construction is used as artificial reef materials. This material is generally available at very low cost or free from construction companies who are more than happy to get rid of it. Transportation costs determine where this material is used by the Reef Program.


The "Ocean Prince" drydock (above) was sunk in 1986 and is well-attested. New York has photos of a clearly different drydock which they place here, but I believe is actually at Shinnecock, and I have placed it there.

Type:
artificial reef, barges
Depth:
62 - 73 ft
Name Description Sunk GPS
110 ft steel Thursday
Sept 9, 1999
40°35.973'
-73°13.242'
Air Force
Scow
110 ft steel Sunday
Oct 14, 2018
40°35.914'
-73°11.986'
Dump Scow
DS-24
100 ft steel Sunday
Oct 14, 2018
40°35.838'
-73°12.015'
Irvington 60 ft steel 2024 40°35.949'
-73°12.308'
Piano Scow 30 ft steel Sunday
Oct 14, 2018
40°35.872'
-73°12.022'
"Ocean Prince"
Drydock #4
200 ft steel
drydock
Saturday
Nov 29, 1986
40°35.704'
-73°11.968'


Percidae is the second largest family of fishes in North America, after Cyprinidae (Minnows). They are not related to saltwater Perches, which they superficially resemble.

Darter

Darters are diminutive perches that inhabit quiet or slowly flowing waters. They swim in hops and spurts, mainly just sitting on the bottom as they search for the small invertebrates on which they feed. The Tessellated Darter Etheostoma olmstedi ( right, to 4.5" ) is the commonest in the area. Many midwestern species are brightly colored, but we are not so lucky, all of ours are drab.