Ocean City Artificial Reef

Ocean City Artificial Reef

4.5 Nautical Miles off Ocean City
Depth: 55-70 ft

Ocean City Artificial Reef

This reef is composed largely of Army tanks and tire units, with some rock and rubble, and three old boat molds. (not shown) Also not shown on the chart is the SS Minnow, a small 30' commercial fishing vessel. The ferro-cement hull has probably broken up and sunk into the sand, as recent efforts to locate it have not been successful.

Ocean City Artificial Reef

rock reef
A hopper barge full of rock

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.



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.




Kathy & Maria Barges reef
Type:
artificial reef, barge, canal ( cut in two )
Specs:
( 32 x 13 ft each piece )
Sponsor:
Ocean City Marlin & Tuna Club, Cape May County Party & Charter Boat Association
Sunk:
Wednesday/Thursday June 22/23, 1997 - Ocean City Artificial Reef
GPS:
Kathy: 39°10.719' -74°33.259'
GPS:
Maria: 39°10.814' -74°33.044'

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FE312SS/88 -- OPR-C121-WH-88; WHILE SEARCHING FOR AWOIS ITEM 1634, TWO SIDE-SCAN SONAR CONTACTS WERE LOCATED AND IDENTIFIED AS WRECKAGE (ALSO REFERENCE ITEM 7508); AN OBSTRUCTION (SSS CONTACT NO. 379.6S) WAS FOUND; DIVER LEAST DEPTH OF 36 FT. IN PRESENT SURVEY DEPTHS OF 38 FT.; REMAINS OF A PORTION OF A KEEL OF A METAL HULLED VESSEL; VESSEL WAS LYING INVERTED WITH THE KEEL EXPOSED; PORTION OF MIDSECTION OF VESSEL WAS VISIBLE; ENTIRE STRUCTURE WAS COATED WITH ANTI-FOULING PAINT; 45 FT. WIDE AT THE BEAM, 37 FT. AT THE NORTHERN END AND 18 FT. LONG; SOUTHERN END OF SITE WAS BENT AND TWISTED; HULL STOOD APPROXIMATELY 3 FT. OFF THE BOTTOM AT THE NORTHERN END, AND A SAND SCOUR AT THE SOUTHERN END EXPOSED APPROXIMATELY 6-8 FT. OF THE WRECK (3-4 FT. BELOW THE SURROUNDING BOTTOM). (ENTERED MSM 10/89)

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