New Jersey Scuba Diving

Coleman I

Coleman I reef

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Specs:: ( 45 x 20 ft )
Sponsor:: Coleman Construction Company
Sunk:: Tuesday June 27, 1989 - Sandy Hook Artificial Reef
GPS:: 40°21.060' -73°56.125'
Depth:: 50 ft

The Coleman is a rather small rectangular steel barge. The decking plates were removed prior to sinking, leaving a skeleton framework that is very interesting to explore. A large pile of concrete rubble lies next to and partially on the barge, to the northwest. It is perhaps 150 ft across and rises up 10 ft off the bottom. This rubble has some very colorful encrustations, as well as many small fishes, and is shallow enough to be cheerfully lit by the sun, unusual in this vicinity.

As usual in this reef, I saw practically no lobsters, even in the likeliest holes. The old-timers tell me they're there, but you can't prove it by me. The barge, however, was inhabited by a great many big fat Blackfish. The bottom is clean sand.

Coleman I reef

Coleman I reef

Coleman I reef — The Coleman barge was sunk by simply pushing it under with the accompanying tugboat.

Artificial Reef Sites, Artificial Reefs, Barges, New Jersey Artificial Reef Sites, New Jersey Artificial Reefs, Sandy Hook Artificial Reef,

Sandy Hook Artificial Reef

Sandy Hook Artificial Reef

1.6 nautical miles off Sea Bright, 1.76 sq miles
Depth: 40-60 ft [download]

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Fish must be caught in New Jersey waters.
Saltwater species taken from a boat must have been caught from a boat which left from and returned to a New Jersey port during the same trip.
Fish must have been caught on sporting tackle, hooked and landed by entrant.
New Jersey state records are determined by weight alone. There are no line classes.
Fish must be weighed on a certified scale.
A clear photograph of the fish must be furnished for identification purposes. In the case of freshwater species, a yardstick must be placed next to fish to clearly show length.
Fish should be refrigerated to permit inspection by a biologist in cases of uncertain identification.

Catch a fish that may not be of record size but is of sufficient size and weight to have tested your skill and/or be of "bragging" size? Then enter your catch in the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Skillful Angler Awards Program.

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