Garden State South Artificial Reef ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Garden State South Artificial Reef

5.1 Nautical Miles off Spray Beach
Depth: 55-65 ft [download]

This reef is also scattered with Army tanks, two boat molds, and tire units in the east. (not shown)

Holgate I

Type:: artificial reef, trawler
Built:: ? Holgate NJ ?
Specs:: ( 65 ft )
Sponsor:: Farreny Boat Yard, Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club, ALO
Sunk:: Tuesday October 25, 1994 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°33.404' -74°06.452'
Depth:: 60 ft

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.

More: Army Tanks ...

The Rhino

Type:: artificial reef, crew boat
Specs:: ( 50 x 13 ft )
Sponsor:: Caldwell's Diving Company, Absecon Saltwater Fishermen
Sunk:: Friday May 27, 1988 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°33.693' -74°06.123'
Depth:: 65 ft

More: The Rhino ...

Starcraft

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Built:: 1936, Port Richmond, NY USA
Specs:: ( 150 x 40 ft ) 684 GT
Sponsor:: Eklof Marine, Ocean Wreck Divers club, Artificial Reef Association, Village Harbor Fishing Club
Sunk:: Wednesday May 11, 1994 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°33.528' -74°06.309'

More: Starcraft ...

VHFC / OWD I

Type:: artificial reef, MLB-44 patrol boats ( 2 ), US Coast Guard
Built:: 1963, Curtis Bay MD USA
Specs:: ( 44 x 12 ft ) 20 tons
Sponsor:: Ocean Wreck Divers (USCG 44333)
VHFC - Village Harbor Fishing Club, GDF (USCG 44322)
Depth:: OWD - 60 ft
VHFC - 80 ft
Sunk:: OWD - Tuesday July 11, 1995
VHFC - Tuesday May 16, 1995 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS - OWD:: 39°33.426' -74°05.973'
GPS - VHFC:: 39°33.496' -74°05.991'