Moriches Artificial Reef
Moriches Artificial Reef (historical)
2.4 nautical miles south of Moriches Inlet, 0.54 sq miles
Depth: 70 - 75 ft
Moriches Artificial Reef (now)
Moriches Reef was originally very small, but has been expanded greatly. The pink region is the historical area, and the blue region is the new deployment zone, while the full permitted size of the reef is a 1-nm square that encloses the deployment zone. The misalignment in the northern boundary between old and new is accurate.
This reef is so tiny, some of these spots are probably within sight of each other underwater !
video by Dan Berg
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 ...
- Type:
- artificial reef, trawler, USA
- Built:
- 1979, Canaveral Shipbuilding, Cape Canaveral FL
- Specs:
- ( 97 x 24 ft ) 185GT
- Sunk:
- Friday March 12, 1999 - Moriches Artificial Reef
- Depth:
- GPS:
- 40°43.439' -72°46.440'
More: St George II ...
- Type:
- artificial reef, clam dredge
- Built:
- 1983, James K Walker Marine, Moss Point MS USA
- Specs:
- ( 112x24 ft ) 188 gross tons
- Sunk:
- Wednesday March 8, 2000 - Moriches Artificial Reef
- Depth:
- 75 ft
- GPS:
- 40°43.505' -72°46.386'
More: Cape Fear ...
- Type:
- artificial reef, trawler, USA
- Built:
- 1975, Master Marine, Bayou La Bâtre AL USA
- Specs:
- ( 80 ft ) 147 gross tons
- Sunk:
- Friday July 12, 2002 - Moriches Artificial Reef
- Depth:
- GPS:
- 40°43.512' -72°46.598'
More: Ana Palmira ...
- Type:
- artificial reef, trawler, USA
- Built:
- 1978, Quality Marine, Bayou La Bâtre AL USA
- Specs:
- ( 90 ft ) 168 gross tons
- Sunk:
- Friday November 6, 1998 - Moriches Artificial Reef
- Depth:
- GPS:
- 40°43.506' -72°46.461'
More: Niagara Falls ...
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.
More: Rock & Rubble ...
