Moriches Artificial Reef ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Moriches Artificial Reef

Moriches Artificial Reef (historical)

2.4 nautical miles south of Moriches Inlet, 0.54 sq miles
Depth: 70 - 75 ft

Moriches Artificial Reef (now)

Moriches Reef was originally very small, but has been expanded greatly. The pink region is the historical area, and the blue region is the new deployment zone, while the full permitted size of the reef is a 1-nm square that encloses the deployment zone. The misalignment in the northern boundary between old and new is accurate.

This reef is so tiny, some of these spots are probably within sight of each other underwater !

side-scan sonar image of Moriches Reef (old)

M-60 tanks sunk on Moriches Reef off Long Island
video by Dan Berg

Army Tanks

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.

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Captain Sam

Type:: artificial reef, trawler, USA
Built:: 1979, Hudson Shipbuilders, Pascagoula MS
Specs:: ( 76 ft )
Sunk:: Friday November 6, 1998 - Moriches Artificial Reef
Depth:
GPS:: 40°43.506' -72°46.397'

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barges - Moriches Artificial Reef

Type:: artificial reef, barges
Depth:: 70 - 75 ft

Name	Description	Sunk	GPS
Jean Elizabeth	190 ft steel	1995	40°43.500' -72°46.482'
	60 ft steel	1995	40°43.558' -72°46.340'
#335	80 ft steel	Friday Nov 12, 1999	40°43.514' -72°46.309'
CFD	100 ft steel	Thursday Feb 8, 2001	40°43.476' -72°46.343'
"Pump Boat"	25 ft steel	Sunday Oct 14, 2018	40°43.464' -72°46.601'
Self-Propelled Scow #56	50 ft steel	Sunday Oct 14, 2018	40°43.453' -72°46.612'

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Niagara Falls

Type:: artificial reef, trawler, USA
Built:: 1978, Quality Marine, Bayou La Bâtre AL USA
Specs:: ( 90 ft ) 168 gross tons
Sunk:: Friday November 6, 1998 - Moriches Artificial Reef
Depth:
GPS:: 40°43.506' -72°46.461'

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Rock & Rubble

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.

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