Shark River Artificial Reef

Shark River Artificial Reef

15.6 Nautical Miles off Manasquan
Depth: 120-140 ft [download]

Shark River Artificial Reef

The Shark River reef is tucked into a corner between the Mud Hole and the Barnegat shipping lane, which happens to be in close proximity to the wreck of the Stolt Dagali. It has a minimum depth for navigational purposes of 50 ft ( 8 fathoms ) at mean low water. Shark River is the deepest of all New Jersey reef sites, with an average bottom depth of 125 ft, although scour holes around larger vessels may be much deeper.

I have omitted the Redbirds from the chart, as they are no longer there. There were two clusters in the mud at the southern end of the reef, and one cluster atop the rock ridge at the northern end. Those are the cars in the pictures below. The Billy D sank just short of the reef and is omitted from state records. The actual location of the New England Coast is a secret.

Take a submarine trip around the Shark River Reef via side-scan sonar

Side-scan sonar animation courtesy of Army Corps of Engineers

This reef got off to a big start, with three tankers sunk in one day - the Coney Island first, and then the "twins" Sam Berman and Alan Martin. The Shark River Reef is often referred to as "The Parking Lot" by charter boat operators. In addition to the vessels shown, the Shark River Reef also contains a great deal of rock and rubble.

Side-scan sonar mosaic of the Shark River Reef

Side-scan sonar mosaic of the Shark River Reef, showing the partially-built rock ridges along the top, the Coney Island at lower right, and the massive Algol at the center, along with various other wrecks and concrete drops. The Captain Bart is visible just below the rock ridges, the APL-31 is NNW of the Algol, and the Alan Martin / Sam Berman duo is NW of the Coney Island. The tiny HRFA is just a speck among the concrete mounds, and the Mako Mania is visible south of the Algol.

Mosaic image courtesy of SAIC.

Sam Berman and Alan Martin reefs
The Sam Berman ( right ) and the Alan Martin ( left ) together.
Not quite twins.
Sam Berman and Alan Martin reefs
Alan Martin ( left ) and Sam Berman ( right ) under tow.


Steven McAllister reef
Type:
artificial reef, tugboat, McAllister Towing, USA
Built:
1949 - Oyster Bay NY USA, as Paterson
Specs:
( 95 x 25 ft )
Sponsor:
Hudson River Fishermen's Association of New Jersey
Sunk:
Friday September 22, 2000 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°06.883' -73°41.534'
Depth:
125 ft

APL-31 reef
Type:
shipwreck, barge, barracks craft - personnel housing
Built:
September 30, 1944; Everett, WA. USA
Specs:
( 261 x 49 ft ) 2,580 tons
Sponsor:
The Meyer Family
Sunk:
Monday July 23, 2001 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°06.600' -73°41.500'
Depth:
125 ft

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.


Billy D reef
Type:
artificial reef, tugboat, US Army
Built:
1945 - Orlando CA USA, as ST-842, R.J. Wales
Specs:
( 80 x 23 ft )
Sponsor:
Artificial Reef Association
Sunk:
Sunday July 27, 1997 - Shark River Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°06.320' -73°41.855'
Depth:
125 ft

Alan Martin reef
Type:
artificial reef, tanker, US Navy, YO-20 class
Built:
1918, New York NY USA, as YO-31
Specs:
( 161 x 25 ft ) 335 tons light, 911 tons full-load
Sponsor:
Crystal Oil Corporation, Marine Trades Assn. of NJ, Fisherman Magazine
Sunk:
Thursday September 10, 1987 - Sea Girt Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°06.440' -73°41.130'
Depth:
125 ft
15.6 Nautical Miles off Manasquan
Depth: 120-140 ft
Stolt Dagali Captain Bart Steven McAllister APL-31      Mako Mania  Billy D     Coney Island USS Algol   San Berman  Alan Martin

Horseshoe Cove - Sandy Hook
Looking north, with New York City faintly visible in the distance. Horseshoe Cove is the second from the top, on the bay side.
Type:
bay-side saltwater cove
Depth:
20 ft max

Printed from njscuba.net