Fire Island Artificial Reef ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Fire Island Artificial Reef

Depth: 62 - 73 ft

Alec N

Type:: artificial reef, clam dredge, USA
Built:
Specs:: ( 45 ft )
Sunk:: 1999 - Fire Island Artificial Reef
Depth:: 70 ft
GPS:: 40°35.961' -73°13.012'

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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.

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barges - Fire Island Artificial Reef

Type:: artificial reef, barges
Depth:: 62 - 73 ft

Name	Description	Sunk	GPS
	110 ft steel	Thursday Sept 9, 1999	40°35.973' -73°13.242'
Air Force Scow	110 ft steel	Sunday Oct 14, 2018	40°35.914' -73°11.986'
Dump Scow DS-24	100 ft steel	Sunday Oct 14, 2018	40°35.838' -73°12.015'
Piano Scow	30 ft steel	Sunday Oct 14, 2018	40°35.872' -73°12.022'
"Ocean Prince" Drydock #4	200 ft steel drydock	Saturday Nov 29, 1986	40°35.704' -73°11.968'

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Big Time (Peter's Reef)

Type:: artificial reef, USA
Built:: 1956, Holland
Specs:: ( 55 ft )
Sunk:: August 2021 - Fire Island Artificial Reef
Depth:: 70 ft
GPS:: 40°36.027' -73°13.151'

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Courtesan

Type:: artificial reef, sailboat, USA
Specs:: ( 34 ft )
Sunk:: Monday July 27, 1998 - Fire Island Artificial Reef
Depth:: 70 ft
GPS:: 40°35.896' -73°12.934'

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Hudson

Type:: artificial reef, work boat, USA
Built:: 1963, Paasch Marine Services, Erie PA, USA
Specs:: ( 53 ft )
Sunk:: Saturday, August 3, 2019 - Fire Island Artificial Reef
Depth:: 70 ft
GPS:: 40°35.711' -73°11.684'

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Mary N

Type:: artificial reef, clam dredge, USA
Built:: 1950, JW Nolan & Sons, Erie PA USA
Specs:: ( 50x15 ft ) 14 gross tons
Sunk:: 2003 - Fire Island Artificial Reef
Depth:: 70 ft
GPS:: 40°35.996'-73°12.926'

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Rock & Rubble

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.

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Zeeliner

Type:: artificial reef, ferry, converted WWII Navy patrol boat, USA
Built:
Specs:: ( 63 ft )
Sunk:: Friday May 10, 1985 - Fire Island Artificial Reef
Depth:: 75 ft
GPS:: 40°35.587' -73°11.221'

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The Buddy System ?

Here are a series of excellent articles regarding the buddy system, reproduced from their original sources before they "wink out", as so much good web content does. With regard to the Buddy System that is so entrenched in dive training, these articles are all negative. I feel no need to present counter-balancing positive arguments since you can get that from any dive instructor with any of the major certifying organizations.

When you first get certified, you will have had the buddy system drilled into you. At this point, you still have basically no idea what you are doing, so just do it that way. A lot of what is in the basic open-water certification is silly and even unnecessary, but it won't get you killed.

As a newly-certified diver, you are a danger to yourself and everyone around you. Be glad that any operator will take you out, and don't rock the boat. If they want you to dive with a buddy, dive with a buddy. As crew, I've spent numerous dives paired up with newbies to make sure they have a good time and get back to the boat OK. Shallow-water shore diving can get very tricky, and things can go very wrong, and if you are not experienced, having a buddy can be a lifesaver.

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