Moriches Artificial Reef ~ New Jersey Scuba Diving

Moriches Artificial Reef

Depth: 70 - 75 ft
2.4 nautical miles south of Moriches Inlet

Moriches Reef was originally very small, but has been expanded greatly. The pink region is the historical area, and the blue region is the new deployment zone, while the full permitted size of the reef is roughly a square that encloses the deployment zone. Below is the historical area:

Moriches Artificial Reef (historical)

Moriches Artificial Reef

This reef is so tiny, some of these spots are probably within sight of each other underwater !

side-scan sonar image of Moriches Reef (old)

M-60 tanks sunk on Moriches Reef off Long Island
video by Dan Berg

Captain Sam

Type:: artificial reef, trawler, USA
Built:: 1979, Pascagoula MS
Specs:: ( 76 ft )
Sunk:: Friday November 6, 1998 - Moriches Artificial Reef
Depth:
GPS:: 40°43.506' -72°46.397'

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Cape Fear

Under tow to the reef, with crushed wheelhouse and no masts

Type:: artificial reef, clam dredge
Built:: 1983 - James K Walker Marine, Moss Point MS USA
Specs:: ( 112x24 ft ) 188 gross tons
Sunk:: Wednesday March 8, 2000 - Moriches Artificial Reef
Depth:: 75 ft
GPS:: 40°43.505' -72°46.386'

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DPC-19 "JJ"

Type:: artificial reef, tugboat
Built:: 1943, Neponset MA USA
Specs:: ( 81 x 24 ft ) 142 gross tons
Sunk:: Friday November 7, 2003 - Moriches Artificial Reef
Depth:
GPS:: 40°43.470' -72°46.489'

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Niagara Falls

Type:: artificial reef, trawler, USA
Built:: 1978 - Quality Marine, Bayou La Bâtre AL USA
Specs:: ( 90 ft ) 168 gross tons
Sunk:: Friday November 6, 1998 - Moriches Artificial Reef
Depth:
GPS:: 40°43.506' -72°46.461'

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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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