Cape May Artificial Reef

Cape May Artificial Reef

8.5 Nautical Miles off Cape May, 5.34 sq miles
Depth: 50-75 ft [download]

Cape May reef also contains large numbers of tire units and Army tanks (not shown) concentrated in the center area that appears here to be empty. This reef also received 50 redbird subways cars, which are not plotted. The Onondaga drifted slightly out of the reef boundaries, and the state does not list it, but it is there.



rock reef
A hopper barge full of rock

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.


Redbird Subway Car - in service
Type:
250 "Redbird" subway cars - NYC Subway system - steel bodies / frames
Built:
1959-1960 - American Car & Foundry - Model R26 # 7750-7859
1960-1961 - American Car & Foundry - Model R28 # 7860-7959
1962-1963 - St. Louis Car - Model R29 # 8570-8805
1962-1963 - St. Louis Car - Model R33 # 8806-9345
1963-1964 - St. Louis Car - Model R36 # 9346-9769
Specs:
( 51 x 9 ft ) 15,000 to 18,000 pounds (body)
Sunk:
50 cars - Cape May Reef on July 3, 2003
50 cars - Deepwater Reef on July 16, 2003
50 cars - Atlantic City Reef on July 25, 2003
50 cars - Garden State North Reef on Sept 3, 2003
50 cars - Shark River Reef on Oct 14, 2003
619 cars - Delaware Reef 11 from Aug 2001 to Nov 2003
Sponsor:
New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
anti-
Sponsor:
Environmental group Clean Ocean Action lobbied aggressively and almost successfully to prevent the use of these subway cars as artificial reefs in New Jersey, resulting in most of the cars going to other states.
GPS:
too many to list, and all gone anyway
Depth:
Depths vary by location between 80 ft and 130 ft.


Onondaga reef
Type:
artificial reef, barge, USA
Name:
An Indian tribe of central New York state, the Onondaga sided with the English in the French and Indian war.
Specs:
( 205 x 40 ft )
Sponsor:
Carbon Services Corp, Philadelphia Navy Yard, Artificial Reef Association, Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association, Sportfish Fund
Sunk:
Monday July 19, 1993 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:
38°53.770' -74°39.975'
Depth:
65 ft


Raritan Bay

This bay is muddy and turbid, although some folks dive the several small wrecks around the inside of Sandy Hook. Bottle hunting around the old piers and pilings in Keyport harbor is also a possibility, but most of the structures along the bay shore are too small and shallow to be of interest. I have scouted the shoreline from Atlantic Highlands to Laurence Harbor, and nothing looks too promising. See also entries on Navesink River and Horseshoe Cove.