Manasquan Artificial Reef ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Manasquan Artificial Reef

Brunette
Manasquan Inlet Buoy
C.ANN
Cadet
Carter's Creek
Delaware
Manasquan Inlet
Mt Sinai
Olsen
Ranger
Shark River Inlet
Susan Rose

2 miles off Manasquan Inlet, 0.99 sq miles
Depth: 67-74 ft [download]

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C.ANN

Type:: artificial reef, trawler
Built:: see below, 1977, previously Margaret Ann II, Capt Seaweed
Specs:: ( 62x19 ft )
Sunk:: Oct 2025 - Manasquan Artificial Reef
GPS:: 40.073167 -73.981057
Depth:: 75 ft

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Carter's Creek

Type:: artificial reef, trawler, purse seiner
Built:: 1948, RTC Shipbuilding, Camden NJ, USA, as Absecon
Specs:: ( 130x25 ft ) 198 gross tons (as built)
Sunk:: Wednesday May 19, 2021 - Manasquan Artificial Reef
GPS:: 40°05.010' -73°59.632'
Depth:: 75 ft

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This new feature inside the Manasquan Inlet reef site will be called the Maher Terminals Reef in recognition of the donated material by Maher Terminals, located in Port Elizabeth, NJ. The material consisted of 151 concrete forms, measuring 40 feet x 8 feet x 1.5 feet each. The forms, once used for shipping container inspections, were no longer needed and were slated for demolition and disposal. Center point coordinates are 40° 04.617' N and 073° 59.040' W.

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Mount Sinai

Type:: artificial reef, trawler
Built:: 1979, Gulf Coast Marine Builders, Bayou La Batre AL as Scott & Mike
Specs:: ( 87 ft ) 135 gross tons
Sunk:: Tuesday June 27, 2017 - Manasquan Artificial Reef
GPS:: 40°04.980' -73°59.410'
Depth:: 75 ft

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Ranger

Type:: artificial reef, tugboat
Built:: 1975, Diamond Manufacturing, Savannah GA, USA, as Capt. Leary
Specs:: ( 53 x 18 ft ) 55 tons
Sunk:: Thursday Jan 14, 2021 - Manasquan Artificial Reef
GPS:: 40°04.784' -73°59.420'
Depth:: 75 ft

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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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Susan Rose

Type:: artificial reef, trawler
Built:: 1977, Steiner Shipyard, Bayou La Batre AL as Margaret Rose
Specs:: ( 77 ft ) 142 gross tons
Sunk:: Thursday Feb 13, 2025 - Manasquan Artificial Reef
GPS:: NJDEP Private Fishing Hole
Depth:: 75 ft

The Susan Rose is a secret reef, sunk with no public notice or announcement. It will no doubt be used for another "period of successional development and monitoring" like the Carrabassett since 2024 and the New England Coast since 2023. Here is the NJDEP contact form if you would like to inquire about the progress of these studies:

https://dep.nj.gov/contact-form

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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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