Barges (8/10) ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Barges (8/10)

barge beached — Notice the blocky shape and structure of this stranded but otherwise typical old wooden barge. Barges usually have minimal crews, to tend the lines.

A barge is a vessel that does not have its own means of propulsion ( usually. ) Barges are towed or pushed from place to place by tugboats, or anchored in place to serve as temporary work platforms, floating docks, or storage. Some barges are self-propelled, in a limited way. These are known as scows, and their limited propulsive power restricts them to protected waters without the assistance of a tugboat.

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salt barge

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Built:: circa 1940
Specs:: ( 150 x38 ft )
Sponsor:: US Navy, NJCDC, Carbon Services Corp, Artificial Reef Association, Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association
Sunk:: Friday April 9, 1993 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:: 38°50.959' -74°42.385'

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Seaside Crane barge

Type:: shipwreck, barge
Specs:: ( 250 ft ? )
Depth:: 85 ft

A very large intact steel deck barge, lying upright, north-south. The southern end is partially collapsed and opened up, allowing easy access to at least part of the inside. Rust holes in the deck let light in throughout the rest of the interior, although they are too small to fit through. A great spearfishing site, and not bad for lobsters. The crane lies about 1/4 mile away.

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Shamrock

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Specs:: ( 48 ft )
Sponsor:: Shamrock Marine Towing
Sunk:: Monday September 12 2005 - Ocean City Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°09.935' -74°33.940'

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Shirley Ann

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Specs:: ( 80 x 28 ft )
Sunk:: Thursday May 9, 1985 - Garden State North Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°37.399' -74°01.668'
Depth:: 80 ft

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Southern Sword

Type:: shipwreck, freighter, USA, converted to barge
Built:: 1918, Globe Shipbuilding, Superior WI, as Contoocook, later Elda
Specs:: ( 251' x 43 ft ) 2344 gross tons
Sunk:: Monday March 18, 1946
foundered
GPS:: 38°36.769' -74°56.878' (DNREC)
Depth:: 60 ft

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Southwick's

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Built:: 1989
Specs:: ( 62 x 22 ft )
Sponsor:: Berman family, United Jewish Community Fund of Harrisburg
Sunk:: Friday Sept 13, 2002 - Little Egg Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°28.560' -74°11.300'

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Starcraft

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Built:: 1936, Port Richmond, NY USA
Specs:: ( 150 x 40 ft ) 684 GT
Sponsor:: Eklof Marine, Ocean Wreck Divers club, Artificial Reef Association, Village Harbor Fishing Club
Sunk:: Wednesday May 11, 1994 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°33.528' -74°06.309'

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Strathmere barges

Type:: artificial reef, barge (3)
Specs:: ( unknown )
Sunk:: Thursday May 16, 2019 - Townsends Inlet Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°06.446' -74°36.429'
39°06.479' -74°36.316'
39°06.452' -74°36.455'

There was never any public notice of these sinkings, although they appeared later in lists.

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Sulzer barge

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Specs:: ( 100 ft )
Sunk:: Friday May 25, 2007 - Ocean City Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°10.032' -74°34.008'

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Swensen barge

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Built:: 1970
Specs:: ( 50 x 16 ft )
Sunk:: Friday June 27, 2003 - Axel Carlson Artificial Reef
GPS:: 40°03.585' -73°59.391'
Depth:: 80 ft

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Barges

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Boat Diving

Dive boat operations in the Northeast are significantly different from those you may be used to in the tropics. For this discussion, "Northeast" may be taken to mean any place north of Florida, or south at least to North Carolina.

The typical going rate for boat diving in New Jersey is about $65 for a one-tank excursion, $90-100 for a two-tank excursion. With recent fuel prices, you can expect a small surcharge as well. Longer, deeper, or special trips may cost more. A non-refundable deposit or credit card number is generally required to make the reservation. Once onboard, the crew will do all they can to make your trip a good one, so don't forget that it is customary to leave a tip for them as well - at least $5-$10, more if one of them did something special, like retrieve what you dropped overboard, or save your life. Tips go to the chief mate, not the captain.

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