New Jersey Scuba Diving

Clean Water Donates Reef Barge

Clean Water of New York had a barge that was surplus to the company's needs and having prepared and cleaned other vessels for the Reef Program decided to donate the barge 'E 13' to this same program. Mr. Bill Figley, head of New Jerseys Division of Fish and Wildlife's artificial reef program cooperating with the Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association renamed the barge in memory of "Jim Lynch". Lynch was a Port Authority officer of 22 years who died in the World Trade Center tragedy of September 11th and was the captain of the charter boat 'Finnaddict' out of Brielle. Funds to cover the cost of towing the barge to the Carlson Reef off Mantoloking were provided by the association's Ship Sinking Fund. The barge had at one time delivered fuel in the New York/New Jersey Harbor area. Clean Water had prepared other vessels for the reef program for other companies and was familiar with the scope of preparations needed. The E 13/Jim Lynch was prepared by carefully removing all material that could remotely be deemed toxic or hazardous, any loose and/or floatable materials, and any remaining oil or oil residue by thorough cleaning at Clean Water's modern barge cleaning facility. These artificial reefs are expected to provide opportunities for anglers and divers to harvest sea bass, blackfish, porgies, and lobsters in the future.