Atlantic City Artificial Reef ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Atlantic City Artificial Reef

12.2 Nautical Miles off Atlantic City, 5.00 sq miles
Depth: 55-95 ft [download]

The empty areas in the north and center of this reef contain a number of Army tanks (not shown.) Brightliners and Redbirds were also sunk in this reef, but are not shown as they are assumed to be gone after 20 years.

The Atlantic City Reef is one of the oldest artificial reef sites in New Jersey. Reef-building activities at this site date back to 1935.

Beach Haven

Type:: artificial reef, purse seiner, clam dredge, USA
Built:: 1949, RTC Shipbuilding, Camden NJ USA
Specs:: ( 125 x 21 ft )
Sponsor:: Gifford Marine Company, Fish America Foundation, Artificial Reef Association
Sunk:: Thursday August 6, 1992 - Atlantic City Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°15.340' -74°14.017'

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Jet Trader YO-167

Type:: artificial reef, tanker
Built:: 1944, Ira S. Bushey & Sons, Brooklyn NY USA
Specs:: ( 156 x 30 ft ) 440 tons
Sponsor:: Cleanwater of New York
Sunk:: Friday September 2 2005 - Atlantic City Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°13.850' -74°12.510'

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Brightliner Subway Cars

Type:: ~100 "Brightliner" subway cars - NYC Subway system
Built:: 1963-1964 - Budd Company - Model R32 # 3350-3949
1966-1967 - St. Louis Car - Model R38 # 3950-4149
1967-1969 - St. Louis Car - Model R40 # 4150-4349
1969-1970 - St. Louis Car - Model R42 # 4550-4949
Specs:: ( 60 x 10 ft ) 10 tons ( all, typical, body only )
Sunk:: 44 cars were sunk on Atlantic City Reef on April 3, 2008
more in Cape May reef and Delaware reefs
Sponsor:: New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( MTA )
GPS:: too many to list, and all gone anyway
Depth:: Depths vary by location

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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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Boston Lightship WLV-189

Type:: artificial reef, lightship, USA
Name:: Named for the harbor that it served as marker for during its long active career.
Built:: 1946, Devoe Shipbuilding, Bay City MI USA
Specs:: ( 128 x 30 ft ) 630 tons
Sponsor:: Atlantic County, Trump Casino, Atlantic City Seafood Festival, Artificial Reef Association, Atlantic County Party & Charter Boat Association
Sunk:: Friday January 28, 1994 - Atlantic City Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°15.444' -74°14.004'
Depth:: 85 ft