New Jersey Scuba Diving

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'

The 44' motor lifeboat or MLB was for many years the Coast Guard's standard heavy weather & surf rescue response platform. Designed and built by the service itself, the MLB-44 was introduced in 1962. They replaced the 36' MLB, which dated to a hull design of the 1880s. The "44" has a welded steel hull, powered by twin diesels, capable of 15 knots, with a range of 190 nautical miles. They also have a towing capacity of 125 tons. It has a normal crew of four, with enclosed heated accommodations.

MLBs are built to withstand the most severe conditions and are capable of effecting a rescue at sea even under the most difficult circumstances. Their range of stability is in excess of 175 degrees, and they are rated for surf conditions up to 20 feet, seas up to 30 feet, and winds up to 50 knots. They are self-bailing, self-righting, and almost unsinkable: if overturned, the vessel will return to an upright position in 30 seconds or less.

The US Coast Guard once operated 110 of these vessels, with many more built for foreign services. Since 1997, the 44' MLBs have been replaced in service by the new and significantly faster ( 25 knots ) and even more capable 47' MLB. The service plans to eventually acquire 200 of these aluminum marvels. Meanwhile, the old 44s can look forward to new careers in third world fleets, or, in the case of these two, peaceful rest as artificial reefs.