Artificial Reefs ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Artificial Reefs

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Artificial Reefs ...
Marine Biology ...

Throughout this website, you have probably found many references to artificial reefs. An artificial reef is any man-made object placed in the sea as a habitat for marine organisms. Sealife is drawn like a magnet to any large object in the otherwise featureless bottom sand. Almost anything will do, but objects that can withstand the corrosive effects of saltwater are best.

Delaware ...
History

The objective of artificial reefs is to create hard structure habitat for mussels, Sea Bass, Blackfish, Porgy, lobster, and many other species of marine life. Once fish and shellfish establish themselves in their new homes - and it doesn't take long - the reefs produce excellent catches of fish for anglers and provide underwater attractions for scuba divers.

Sinking the ‘Captain Bart’

Tenacious tows the newly-christened "Captain Bart" into position

The State Police demolitions squad goes aboard to set the explosives

But the anchor chain gets stuck ...

... and the new reef drifts in the wind and tide for nearly three hours

Looking up at the pilot house from the tugboat just before jumping over

Diversion II serves as press boat

The sign says: Warning. No Smoking. No Open Lights. No Visitors.

The inside of the bridge. Looks like junk to me, but I'm sure it will all be quickly "salvaged" by wreck hounds

The view forward from the port-side bridge wing

Looking aft from the bow. Tugboat wake swirls in the distance

Explosives all set ... time for everyone to get off !

Tenacious makes one final pass, and ...

Ka-boom !!!

The concussion could be felt even at a distance, as pieces went flying overhead

Fires burn briefly after the explosion

The Budweiser banner didn't make it

At first the ship sinks very slowly ...

... but soon the tilt is unmistakable, as the stern plunges down

The metal hull creaks and groans as the ship sinks

Now the pilot house is completely under

Debris on the deck slides down into the water

The stern hits the bottom at 130 ft ...

... and the ship stands on end for several minutes ...

... digging down into the mud below ...

... before finally settling back down into the water

YOG-58 disappears forever into a boiling mass of bubbles ...

... and becomes the newest addition to the Shark River Artificial Reef

Artificial Reef Sites

New Jersey Artificial Reef Sites

New Jersey Artificial Reef Charts

New York Artificial Reef Sites

New York Artificial Reef Charts

Delaware Artificial Reef Sites

Delaware Artificial Reef Charts

Delaware #09 Reef
Delaware #10 Reef ...

Delaware #11 Reef ...
DelJerseyLand Reef ...

The famous ( or infamous ) 'Redbirds' subway cars

I miss the days when they used explosives to sink reefs.

All artificial reef activities are controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers, which issues permits for specified materials to be sunk only in specified locations, to avoid creating hazards to navigation. Once a permit for an area is issued, the state may build the reef as it sees fit with little more involvement from the ACOE. Permits must be renewed periodically. The chart above indicates permitted areas in three states, as well as the main approaches to New York harbor. One of the difficulties in selecting a location for a reef is obvious - any place inside the heavily trafficked shipping lanes is out of the question.

Now with GPS numbers!

Artificial Reef Activity by State

State ( N to S )	Population ( 2001 est. )	Ocean Coastline	# Vessels ( 2005 )
New England	no significant artificial reef building activity
New York	19.0 million	127 miles	~ 65
New Jersey	8.5 million	130 miles	131
Delaware	0.8 million	28 miles	~ 3?
Maryland	5.4 million	31 miles	~ 3?
Virginia	7.2 million	112 miles	~ 12
North Carolina	8.2 million	301 miles	~ 35
South Carolina	4.0 million	187 miles	~ 100
Georgia	8.4 million	100 miles	~ 41
Florida (including Gulf)	16.4 million	1350 miles	~ 380
California	34.5 million	840 miles	< 10

Artificial Reef Food Web — Everyone benefits from artificial reefs

A Guide to Fishing & Diving New Jersey Reefs
NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, 3rd edition

Includes GPS numbers for all reef sites.

Download your copy of the 3rd edition here. This invaluable book has been out of print for years.

Artificial Reefs Siting

Every fisherman has his favorite fishing area and thinks that it would be the perfect spot for an artificial reef. "Why don't you build a reef here?" they ask.

Obviously, the State could never satisfy every New Jersey angler with his own pet reef. Besides that, there are many constraints that limit both the number and location of ocean reef sites. New Jersey now has a network of 15 reef sites, evenly spaced from Sandy Hook to Cape May. In its original plan, the Reef Program estimated that 14 or 15 sites would be needed to provide access to anglers and divers from every New Jersey inlet.

More: Artificial Reefs Siting ...

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Name:: Named for the Delaware Valley Divers club, who sponsored it,
and their peculiar aversion to nature's perfect packaging.
Specs:: ( 140 x 40 ft )
Sponsor:: Delaware Valley Divers club & Peter King
Sunk:: Monday September 14, 1998 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:: 40°06.400' -73°57.080'
Depth:: 65 ft