New Jersey Scuba Diving

Type:

artificial reef, tanker, US Navy YW-83 class

Built:

1945, Surgeon Bay, WI, USA, as YW-127

Specs:

( 165 x 33 ft )

Sponsor:

GPPCBA, Budweiser

Sunk:

Thursday July 16, 1998 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef

GPS:

40°06.419' -73°41.460'

Depth:

125 ft

This small tanker was built to carry (of all things) saltwater. This was used to test the desalination plants of other vessels in port, where saltwater might not be readily available. It is probably a good idea to make sure your desalination plant works before leaving on a long ocean voyage. She was YW-127, a tanker configuration identical to what were also known as "YO"s, small tankers/lighters which carried oil or gasoline. The designation "YW" signifies that she was a water carrier. YW-127 was placed in reserve in 1980, and stricken from the Navy register in 1994, and had been tied up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for years before being selected for use as an artificial reef.

Rechristened the " Mako Mania" for the fishing tournament that partially sponsored it, the ship now lies upright and intact as New Jersey's 102nd reef vessel. The stern house is at 85 ft depth, while the bow is dug in slightly at 115 ft. The bottom is presently at 125 ft, but expect that to increase somewhat as the hull settles and currents scour out a depression around it.

Anything of value was stripped from the hulk prior to sinking - so there are no portholes, valves, etc. The cargo holds are filled with huge earth-mover tires and will someday be lobster heaven. The rest of the ship can be penetrated through two large skylights near the stack. The smokestack itself is capped off and was painted with black and yellow tiger stripes. ( In hindsight, that's probably rust. )

"Mako Mania" is a twin to the "John Dobilas" and the "Captain Bart". See construction for more photos of this class of ship.

Historical details courtesy of diver Alex George.