Little Egg Artificial Reef

Little Egg Artificial Reef

4.0 Nautical Miles off Holgate, 2.05 sq miles
Depth: 50-60 ft [download]

This reef is composed largely of Army tanks. ( dozens, not shown )



Jessie C reef
Type:
artificial reef, crew boat
Built:
1968, New Orleans LA USA
Specs:
( 55 ft )
Sponsor:
Caldwell's Diving Company
Sunk:
Wednesday February 12, 1997 - Little Egg Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°28.501' -74°11.631'

Type:
artificial reef, barge
Specs:
( 180 ft )
Sponsor:
Beach Haven Charter Boat Association, Junior Mates Program, Sport Fishing Fund
Sunk:
Monday July 14, 2025 - Little Egg Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°28.307’ 74°11.546'

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.


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.



Shipwreck USS San Diego
USS San Diego photographed 28 January 1915, while serving as flagship of the Pacific Fleet. Her name had been changed from California on 1 September 1914. Note two-star Rear Admiral's flag flying from her mainmast top.
Type:
shipwreck, armored cruiser, U.S. Navy
Built:
1904, Bethlehem San Francisco, San Francisco USA, as U.S.S. California
Specs:
( 503 x 70 ft ) 13680 displacement tons
Sunk:
Friday July 19, 1918
explosion, probably struck a mine laid by U-156
officially 6 casualties, probably 30-40 in reality
GPS:
40°32.433' -73°02.484' (AWOIS 2008)
Depth:
110 ft, starts at 65 ft