Smithtown Artificial Reef

Smithtown Artificial Reef

1.6 nautical miles northwest of Stony Brook Harbor, 0.05 sq miles
Depth: 30 - 40 ft

Not Shown:

  • 22,000 automobile tires

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.



the big one goes down
Type:
artificial reef, barges
Depth:
38 - 40 ft
Name Description Sunk GPS
190’ wood 1979 40°55.977'
-73°10.921'
350’ steel 1981 40°55.943'
-73°10.955'
270’ wood 1982 40°55.876'
-73°11.111'
340’ steel 1984 40°55.991'
-73°10.950'
80’ wood 1984 40°55.972'
-73°10.872'
80’ steel (226) 2021 40°55.970'
-73°11.048'


regulator

A "same-source" octopus is an extra second-stage regulator that attaches to the same first stage and air supply as your main regulator. Your own same-source octopus is only useful to your buddy, and then only if you are together. The only same-source octopus that will be of any use to you in an emergency will be your buddy's, not your own, and again, only if you are together. In the tropics, where you can see your buddy 100 ft across the reef and the likelihood of getting separated is slim, this scheme can work very well.

However, in the low visibility conditions of the North Atlantic, counting on your buddy to be there with your emergency backup air supply when you really need it is courting disaster. You can not and should not rely on any air source that is not on your own back.