Axel Carlson Artificial Reef (1/3)

Axel Carlson Artificial Reef

2.0 Nautical Miles off Mantoloking
Depth: 65-80 ft [download]

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M60 tanks reef
M60 tanks undergo a thorough cleaning before use as reefs

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.


Austin reef
Type:
artificial reef, trawler
Built:
1956 Tampa FL USA
Specs:
( 65 ft ) 79 GT
Sponsor:
Grady family, Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association, Ocean Reef Foundation of New Jersey
Sunk:
Wednesday Sept 21, 2016 - Axel Carlson Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°02.900' -73°59.000'
Depth:
80 ft


Bay King reef
Type:
artificial reef, tugboat
Built:
1941, Port Arthur, TX, as YTB-175 USS Chekilli
Specs:
( 96 ft )
Sponsor:
Manasquan River Marlin & Tuna Club, Ann E Clark Foundation
Sunk:
Sunday January 9, 2005 - Axel Carlson Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°03.187' -73°59.283'
Depth:
80 ft, top at 60 ft


Type:
artificial reef, tugboat, McAllister Towing (Boston)
Built:
1950, Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY as Hazleton
Specs:
( 110 x 27 ft ) 199 gross tons
Sponsor:
Herb & Veronica Segars
Sunk:
Wednesday November 10, 2004 - Axel Carlson Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°03.104' -73°59.283'
Depth:
75 ft


Caterina D reef
Type:
artificial reef, trawler
Built:
1973 - Bishop Shipbuilding, Aransas Pass TX USA as America 200
Specs:
( 70 ft ) 137 gross tons
Sponsor:
Manasquan River Marlin & Tuna Club
Sunk:
Tuesday April 24, 2007 - Axel Carlson Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°01.650' -73°59.747'
Depth:
80 ft

Colleen reef
Type:
artificial reef, tugboat
Built:
1952, New Orleans LA, USA
Specs:
( 92 x 25 ft ) 150 tons
Sponsor:
GPPCBA, Budweiser, GDF
Sunk:
Saturday August 3, 1996 - Axel Carlson Artificial Reef
GPS:
40°02.794' -73°59.350'
Depth:
80 ft


Axel Carlson Artificial Reef

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The North Atlantic is extremely changeable. The aspect that most governs where and when you will ( or even can ) dive is the wave height or the surf. If the surf is pounding on the shore, then it is a good bet the inlet will not be a good dive, let alone the beach. A big surf will even ruin conditions way up the river, say at the Railroad Bridge.

The wave heights on the open ocean will dictate your boat diving. In 1-3 foot seas, the boats can go just about anywhere, all the way out to even the farthest wrecks. In 3-5 foot seas, some boats will do that anyway, but don't count on it. Instead, a closer-in site will be your most likely destination, although perhaps as far as the Pinta or the Mohawk. In 5-6 foot seas you are going to the Delaware, and you'll wish you'd stayed home. Bigger waves than that, and you shouldn't even leave port, although some captains will try. While this may seem like admirable determination on their part ( more like irresponsible greed in some cases! ) you're better off just not going.

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