Coast Guard Artificial Reefs

Coast Guard Artificial Reefs

The United States Coast Guard has donated a number of vessels as artificial reefs over the years. They seem to be sensitive about having their vessels shown in a "bad" way, and typically paint out all the markings before turning them over.


Boston Lightship WLV-189 reef
Type:
artificial reef, lightship, USA
Name:
Named for the harbor that it served as marker for during its long active career.
Built:
1946, Bay City MI USA
Specs:
( 128 x 30 ft ) 630 tons
Sponsor:
Atlantic County, Trump Casino, Atlantic City Seafood Festival, Artificial Reef Association, Atlantic County Party & Charter Boat Association
Sunk:
Friday January 28, 1994 - Atlantic City Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°15.444' -74°14.004'
Depth:
85 ft




Tethered to the Cape Straight for sinking
Type:
artificial reef, buoy tender
Built:
1969
Specs:
( 46' x 16' )
Sponsor:
USCG, New Jersey State Police
Sunk:
Thursday September 9, 1993 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:
38°51.106' -74°42.170'

The Coast Guard classification for this type was BUSL, for 'boat utility stern loading'. These boats had facilities to maintain the crew for 48 hours. They were powered by a diesel engine driving a steerable propeller, which would have made them extremely maneuverable. They were replaced by a 49-foot model.


Point Swift WPB-82312 reef
A "Point"-class cutter under way
Type:
artificial reef, cutter, US Coast Guard
Specs:
( 83 x 17 ft )
Sponsor:
Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association
Sunk:
Thursday March 30, 2000 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:
38°51.620' -74°40.600'

Red Oak WLM-689 reef
Sister ship Red Birch
Type:
artificial reef, buoy tender / ice breaker, US Coast Guard
Built:
1971, US Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore MD
Specs:
( 157 x 33 ft )
Depth:
65 ft
Sponsor:
USCG, Dick Weber & South Jersey Fishing Center
Sunk:
Monday September 13, 1999 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:
38°53.125' -74°40.816'


Ocean Wreck Divers I reef
Type:
artificial reef, MLB-44 patrol boats ( 2 ), US Coast Guard
Built:
1960s, MD USA
Specs:
( 44 x 12 ft ) 20 tons
Sponsor:
Ocean Wreck Divers
VHFC - Village Harbor Fishing Club, GDF
Depth:
OWD - 60 ft
VHFC - 80 ft
Sunk:
OWD - Tuesday July 11, 1995
VHFC - Tuesday May 16, 1995 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS - OWD:
39°33.426' -74°05.973'
GPS - VHFC:
39°33.496' -74°05.991'

Scotch boiler ( cutaway )
A typical Scotch boiler ( cutaway )

Boilers are one of the most common shipwreck features, found on almost all engine-powered vessels. The purpose of a boiler is to produce high-pressure steam for the engine to propel the vessel. Steam boilers have been in use from the early 1800s to the present day.

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