Deepwater Artificial Reef

Deepwater Artificial Reef

23.6 Nautical Miles off Ocean City, 1.03 sq miles
Depth: 90-125 ft [download]



Type:
artificial reef, drydock gate
Specs:
( 150 ft )
Sunk:
Friday June 8, 2020 - Deepwater Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°58.300' -74°10.900'
Depth:
125 ft

Mantank reef
Type:
artificial reef, barge
Built:
1950, Dravo Corporation, Wilmington, DE USA
Specs:
( 224 x 38 ft ) 997 GT
Sponsor:
BassBarn.com, Ann E Clark Foundation, PSE&G Habitat Restoration Fund
Sunk:
Thursday Sept 5, 2002 - Deepwater Artificial Reef
GPS:
39°58.688' -74°11.410'
Depth:
120 ft

Redbird Subway Car - in service
Type:
250 "Redbird" subway cars - NYC Subway system - steel bodies / frames
Built:
1959-1960 - American Car & Foundry - Model R26 # 7750-7859
1960-1961 - American Car & Foundry - Model R28 # 7860-7959
1962-1963 - St. Louis Car - Model R29 # 8570-8805
1962-1963 - St. Louis Car - Model R33 # 8806-9345
1963-1964 - St. Louis Car - Model R36 # 9346-9769
Specs:
( 51 x 9 ft ) 15,000 to 18,000 pounds (body)
Sunk:
50 cars - Cape May Reef on July 3, 2003
50 cars - Deepwater Reef on July 16, 2003
50 cars - Atlantic City Reef on July 25, 2003
50 cars - Garden State North Reef on Sept 3, 2003
50 cars - Shark River Reef on Oct 14, 2003
619 cars - Delaware Reef 11 from Aug 2001 to Nov 2003
Sponsor:
New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
anti-
Sponsor:
Environmental group Clean Ocean Action lobbied aggressively and almost successfully to prevent the use of these subway cars as artificial reefs in New Jersey, resulting in most of the cars going to other states.
GPS:
too many to list, and all gone anyway
Depth:
Depths vary by location between 80 ft and 130 ft.

Vincent Tibbetts reef
Type:
artificial reef, T1-M-A2 tanker, gasoline
Built:
1944, East Coast Shipyards, Bayonne NJ USA as USS Ochlockonee AOG-33
Specs:
( 244 x 37 ft ) tonnage unknown after lengthening
Sponsor:
Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association, PSE&G Habitat Restoration Fund, friends of Walt Hendee, Ann E Clark Foundation
Sunk:
Thursday Sept 5, 2002 - Deepwater Artificial Reef
GPS:
38°58.385' -74°11.429'
Depth:
135 ft


Here are some dimensions and specifications for scuba cylinders. This is by no means an exhaustive list. These numbers should be taken as approximate since equivalent tanks from different manufacturers will differ slightly. The two most common models - the Catalina aluminum 80 and Luxfer aluminum 80 - are highlighted, along with my favorite, the OMS LP steel 85.

  • Weight, full - this is what you will have to be able to lift, in and out of your car, around the dock, and up the boat ladder with all your other gear. Times two for doubles.
  • Weight, empty - this is pretty much irrelevant
  • Buoyancy, empty - this is what you need to weight yourself for, so that you can do a safe free stop at 20 feet at the end of your dive
  • Buoyancy, full - this is what your BC needs to be able to support when you jump in the water, otherwise you are a "dirt dart" heading straight for the bottom and disaster