Wildwood Artificial Reef

Wildwood Artificial Reef

4.5 Nautical Miles off Wildwood, 2.99 sq miles
Depth: 40-65 ft [download]

Wildwood Artificial Reef

Wildwood reef is composed mainly of Army tanks and tire units. ( not shown )



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.




Michael DePalma reef
Type:
artificial reef, barge
Specs:
( 70 x 28 ft )
Sponsor:
Creedon Tug & Barge Works, Friends of Michael DePalma, GDF, Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association
Sunk:
Tuesday February 27, 1996 - Wildwood Artificial Reef
GPS:
38°56.970' -74°41.337'


porthole diagram

Portholes are used to let light and air into a ship. They are usually constructed of brass for corrosion resistance, which makes them highly desirable as collector's items. The drawing at right shows all the major parts:

  • The immovable backing plate, bolted to the vessel's hull, which carries the hinges for the swing plate and deadlight
  • The glass swing plate, which is secured shut by large butterfly nuts called 'dogs'
  • The deadlight, used when it is desired to black-out the vessel, as in time of war