Shinnecock Artificial Reef ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Shinnecock Artificial Reef

Depth: 76 - 84 ft
2.0 Nautical miles south of Shinnecock Inlet

Shinnecock 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 roughly a square that encloses the deployment zone. Below is the historical area:

Shinnecock Artificial Reef (old)

Shinnecock Artificial Reef

Not Shown:

46 ft pleasure craft - 1987
2 tugboats
9 barges
1,000 tire units

In the old version of the website, I had the names Marlu and Maroca recorded for this reef. When I got the new photos off most of the reefs, Maroca became apparent - it is spray-painted on the transom of the vessel. Marlu was harder, but I think I have that one figured out as well. I also had a second drydock at Fire Island that I think belongs here. New York's reef program was moribund for so long that the records are unclear.

Reef site coordinates differ from NOAA Navigational Charts.

side-scan sonar image of Shinnecock Reef, click to enlarge

Note the remains of the drydock at lower-left, the square lighthouse at top-center, with Marlu and Mandy Ray to the right. The freckles at the upper-left are Army tanks.

Marlu

Type:: artificial reef, trawler
Built:: 1968, Master Marine, Inc., Bayou La Bâtre AL USA
Specs:: ( 72x20 ft ) 131 gross tons
Sunk:: 1999-2000 - Shinnecock Artificial Reef
Depth:
GPS:: 40°48.149' -72°28.501'

More: Marlu ...

Lieutenant

Type:: artificial reef, trawler, USA
Built:
Specs:: ( 51 ft )
Sunk:: Tuesday Sept 11, 1990 - Shinnecock Artificial Reef
Depth:
GPS:: 40°47.176' -72°28.355'

More: Lieutenant ...

barges - Shinnecock Artificial Reef

100 ft steel barge ( on a much bigger barge )

Type:: artificial reef, barges
Depth:: 79 - 84 ft

Name	Description	Sunk	GPS
	60 ft steel dredge	1987	40°48.063' -72°28.622
Caddell	157 ft wood drydock	Wednesday September 12, 1990	40°48.007' -72°28.634'
Dump Scow DS-106	100 ft steel	Wednesday June 20, 2018	40°48.179' -72°28.461'
Shannon C	60 ft steel	Friday Nov 5, 2021	40°48.118' -72°28.390'

More: barges - Shinnecock Artificial Reef ...

Rock & Rubble

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 ...