Coast Guard Artificial Reefs ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Coast Guard Artificial Reefs

The United States Coast Guard has donated a number of vessels as artificial reefs over the years. They seem to be sensitive about having their vessels shown in a "bad" way, and typically paint out all the markings before turning them over.

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Boston Lightship

Type:: artificial reef, lightship, USA
Name:: Named for the harbor that it served as marker for during its long active career.
Built:: 1946, Bay City MI USA
Specs:: ( 128 x 30 ft ) 630 tons
Sponsor:: Atlantic County, Trump Casino, Atlantic City Seafood Festival, Artificial Reef Association, Atlantic County Party & Charter Boat Association
Sunk:: Friday January 28, 1994 - Atlantic City Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°15.444' -74°14.004'
Depth:: 85 ft

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Brenton Reef Lighthouse

Type:: artificial reef, light tower, USA
built:: 1962, US Coast Guard
Specs:: 87 ft tall
Sunk:: Friday January 8, 1993 - Shinnecock Artificial Reef
Depth:
GPS:: 40°48.139' -72°28.526'

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Cape Straight WPB-95308

Type:: artificial reef, cutter, US Coast Guard
Built:: 1953 Curtiss Bay MD USA
Specs:: ( 95 x 20 ft )
Sponsor:: USCG, New Jersey State Police
Sunk:: Thursday September 9, 1993 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:: 38°51.060' -74°42.125'
Depth:: 65 ft

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Heritage Hull / Dr Tom's

Type:: artificial reef, cutter, US Coast Guard
Specs:: ( 120 x 22 ft )
Sponsor:: The Natoli family
Dedication:: Dr Tom
Sunk:: Thursday September 20, 2001 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:: 38°51.810' -74°40.590'

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Johnny Buoy

Tethered to the *Cape Straight* for sinking

Type:: artificial reef, buoy tender
Built:: 1969
Specs:: ( 46' x 16' )
Sponsor:: USCG, New Jersey State Police
Sunk:: Thursday September 9, 1993 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:: 38°51.106' -74°42.170'

The Coast Guard classification for this type was BUSL, for 'boat utility stern loading'. These boats had facilities to maintain the crew for 48 hours. They were powered by a diesel engine driving a steerable propeller, which would have made them extremely maneuverable. They were replaced by a 49-foot model.

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Point Swift

Type:: artificial reef, cutter, US Coast Guard
Specs:: ( 83 x 17 ft )
Sponsor:: Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association
Sunk:: Thursday March 30, 2000 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:: 38°51.620' -74°40.600'

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Red Oak WLM-689

Type:: artificial reef, buoy tender / ice breaker, US Coast Guard
Built:: 1971, US Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore MD
Specs:: ( 157 x 33 ft )
Depth:: 65 ft
Sponsor:: USCG, Dick Weber & South Jersey Fishing Center
Sunk:: Monday September 13, 1999 - Cape May Artificial Reef
GPS:: 38°53.125' -74°40.816'

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Tamaroa WMEC-166

Type:: artificial reef, fleet tugboat, cutter
Built:: 1943, Portland, OR, as USS Zuni AT-95
Specs:: ( 205 x 38 ft ) 1,235 tons (light)
Sunk:: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 - DelJerseyLand Artificial Reef
GPS:: 38°31.144' -74°30.747'
Depth:: 125 ft

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VHFC / OWD I

Type:: artificial reef, MLB-44 patrol boats ( 2 ), US Coast Guard
Built:: 1960s, MD USA
Specs:: ( 44 x 12 ft ) 20 tons
Sponsor:: Ocean Wreck Divers
VHFC - Village Harbor Fishing Club, GDF
Depth:: OWD - 60 ft
VHFC - 80 ft
Sunk:: OWD - Tuesday July 11, 1995
VHFC - Tuesday May 16, 1995 - Garden State South Artificial Reef
GPS - OWD:: 39°33.426' -74°05.973'
GPS - VHFC:: 39°33.496' -74°05.991'

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