Little Egg Artificial Reef ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Little Egg Artificial Reef

Barge 199
barge etc
Jessie C
Southwick's
Waldorf

4.0 Nautical Miles off Holgate, 2.05 sq miles
Depth: 50-60 ft [download]

Army Tanks

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.

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Barge 199

Type:: artificial reef, barge
Specs:: ( 180 ft )
Sponsor:: Beach Haven Charter Boat Association, Junior Mates Program, Sport Fishing Fund
Sunk:: Monday July 14, 2025 - Little Egg Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°28.307’ 74°11.546'

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barge etc

The larger tug *Ranger* was sunk on the Manasquan Reef

Type:: artificial reef, barge, etc
Specs:: ( 140 ft )
Sunk:: Thursday January 14, 2021 - Little Egg Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°28.340' -74°11.083'

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Jessie C

Type:: artificial reef, crew boat
Built:: 1968, New Orleans LA USA
Specs:: ( 55 ft )
Sponsor:: Caldwell's Diving Company
Sunk:: Wednesday February 12, 1997 - Little Egg Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°28.501' -74°11.631'

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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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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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Waldorf

Type:: artificial reef, barge, crane
Specs:: ( 110 ft )
Sponsor:: Caldwell's Diving Company
Sunk:: Friday December 3 1999 - Little Egg Artificial Reef
GPS:: 39°28.780' -74°11.084'

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BC & Weight System

2016 Update

Styles and fads come and go, but the advice below remains the same for Buoyancy Compensators. Unless someone figures out how to turn them into gold, there is nothing new to say about lead weights.

Buoyancy Compensator

Weight System

These items, along with tanks, are generally considered separately, something that I think is a mistake that often leads to buying equipment that quickly becomes inadequate, especially in the rigorous environment of the North Atlantic. However, it is not difficult to select items that both perform well and allow for future expansion, once you consider the requirements and interactions. To that end, I suggest that you read both the sections on BC & weight systems, and the section on tanks.

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