Destin-Fort Walton Beach Wants to be Dive Capital of Florida

If it makes FWB feel better I've always considered them quite the dive.

On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, the Okaloosa Tourist Development Council approved a request to allocate up to $1,710,000 from 6th penny tourist development taxes towards Year Two projects pursuant to the Okaloosa County 5-Year Artificial Reef Plan.

According to Coastal Resource Manager Alex Fogg, these artificial reef initiatives have supported the destination’s role in introducing locals, visitors, and specifically kids to the water and adventure.

Last year, the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a five-year artificial reef plan that allocated $2 Million dollars of funding for first-year projects. The deployment of the first-year projects included two large (190ft) vessels called the R/V MANTA and R/V DOLPHIN.

The deployments were not only a success, but came in under budget ($1.685 million). The savings were then applied to the acquisition of two additional vessels called the M/V CYCLOPS (110ft) and M/V ATLANTIS (125ft), which are pending deployment in state waters once Army Corps of Engineers Permits are issued (next 30days).

In addition to these requested funds, $1.26 million and $120k Grant awards (anticipated in the plan) were received from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that will allow more than 400 prefabricated modules to be deployed around the recently deployed reefs, creating additional nearshore and offshore habitat.

The Okaloosa County 5-Year Artificial Reef Plan is aimed at making Destin – Fort Walton Beach the dive capital of the state of Florida and build upon its status as a premier fishing destination. The Plan provides for an annual budget of $1.5M, excluding any grant funds or partner contributions. Staff plans to complete the project over the next 18 months.

This year, with partner support, the annual project plan totals $1.71 million. The 6th penny is conservatively estimated to generate $4 million this partial fiscal year. Funding up to $1.71 million from the 6th penny was requested for artificial reefs.
These are the five projects included in the proposal:

M/V CRIMSON WHITE: A 135ft long and 45ft tall tugboat that currently resides in Mobile, Alabama. The vessel has ideal features to become an artificial reef due to its hull thickness and vertical relief. While the exact location for deployment has not been determined, the length and height allow for it to be deployed in State or Federal waters.

Oil Rig Jacket (frame) and Barge: A 90ft long and 40ft tall structure used to be a part of a production platform offshore Texas. The jacket will be placed on two barges and transported to a deployment location offshore Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) has expressed interest in being a financial partner in this project.

M/V DEEP STIM III: A 270ft long and 65ft tall well stimulation vessel (WSV) that was originally quoted as $1.8mil to acquire, clean, prepare, tow and deploy as an artificial reef but has recently been reduced to $750,000 for the entire project. Additionally, there is interest from Walton and Bay Counties to partner and split the cost of the project evenly.

Large Cargo Vessel: A 360ft long and 80ft+ tall vessel is currently in Louisiana. This vessel is being acquired by a government partner and following transport will remain as an artificial reef offshore Destin – Fort Walton Beach.

Destin High School inaugural reef deployment: Destin High School has established a fishing class that has a heavy emphasis on marine conservation. The class proposed partnering on an inaugural reef project that would be built upon during each semester. A total of 10 reefs will be deployed during this project.

Fogg says that each of these projects would be individually contracted and managed separately, and that there is the potential for significant cost savings through partnerships with neighboring counties and industry groups. Additionally, this year-two plan does not include grant funded module deployments and any large transformative project that would require regional and federal participation/approval.

Fogg highlighted the importance of these artificial reefs in providing habitat for marine life and enhancing the fishing and diving experiences in the area.

“We’re not only creating new habitats for marine life, but we’re also giving people an opportunity to enjoy these resources in a safe and sustainable way,” he said. “These reefs also have an economic impact on the area, as they attract anglers and divers, both young and old, from all over the world.”

He also noted that the projects will help support local businesses, including dive shops and charter boats.

“The creation of artificial reefs has a multiplier effect on the local economy, as it generates more demand for services such as boat rentals, scuba gear, and fishing equipment,” he said.

The projects have also garnered interest from local organizations and businesses. The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) has expressed interest in being a financial partner in the Oil Rig Jacket and Barge project, and Starborough Wines will deploy $25k worth of reef modules in conjunction with the Destin High School inaugural reef deployment project.

Fogg emphasized that these projects are just another step in the county’s efforts to enhance its marine resources.

“We have a long-term vision for creating a world-class artificial reef system that benefits both the environment and the community,” he said. “We’re constantly exploring new opportunities and partnerships to make that vision a reality.”

While approved by the TDC, the plan still has to get the final approval from the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners at an upcoming meeting.

Come see our artificial reefs!

Okaloosa County’s Coastal Resource Team is gearing up to deploy 38 prefabricated artificial reef modules off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, an exciting initiative that highlights the community’s dedication to marine conservation.

The project, made possible through funding provided by private partners and the Okaloosa County TDC, is part of a larger 5-year plan aimed at enhancing the area’s marine ecosystems and sparking interest in local water adventures.

“It’s exciting to see private organizations expressing interest in collaborating with us on artificial reef initiatives,” said Coastal Resource Manager Alex Fogg. “This cooperation significantly extends the reach of our tourism dollars, benefiting both tourists and residents while amplifying the overall impact of our projects.”

The 38 prefabricated concrete modules, 4 of which will be 25ft tall and the remaining 34 will be 8ft tall, will create 14 patch reefs within three permitted areas in state and federal waters. Each module will be strategically placed at depths of 70-115ft to optimize the benefits for marine life and the dive community.

According to Fogg, these artificial reef modules are specifically designed to encourage growth on the structure and mimic natural reef features.

“Not only are we fostering new habitats for marine life, but we’re also providing a means for people to experience these resources in a responsible and sustainable manner,” said Fogg. “These reefs have a positive economic effect on the region by drawing in anglers and divers of all ages and skill levels from around the globe, bolstering local businesses like dive shops and charter boats.”

In addition to benefiting marine ecosystems, the project has been a valuable learning experience for some members of the community. Destin High School, for example, created a fishing class with an emphasis on marine conservation and has taken an active role in the project.

The class recently held a fundraiser at Half Hitch in Destin and raised $10,000 to purchase up to five reef modules for this deployment. The school will deploy one “super reef” (25ft tall) surrounded by 10 smaller reefs.

Last week, the Sharks went on a field trip to Orange Beach, AL. to watch the reefs get made and to name all of the reefs that will be deployed.

Starborough Wines is also deploying $28,000 worth of reef modules. In 2022, Starborough deployed two artificial ‘Super Reefs’ off Okaloosa and Walton beaches.

For this project, Starborough Wines will deploy 2 prefabricated ‘Super Reefs’ that will be accompanied by 16 small modules off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

Saltwater Restaurants is deploying $33,160 worth of reefs to establish the Crab Trap Offshore Reef site. This site will be located directly south of Crab Trap Destin and consist of 9 prefabricated reefs (1 large, surrounded by 8 small reefs).

The Emerald Coast Reef Association has recently reestablished and hopes to build momentum and interest in the organization by deploying 2 small prefabricated reefs at a cost of $4,790.

The three permitted areas (State and Federal Waters) for this deployment are:

Fish Haven 14 (State): Starborough Wines
LAARS A (Federal): Destin High School Reef & Crab Trap Offshore Reef
LAARS C (Federal): Emerald Coast Reef Association

Walter Marine, the contractor selected for this project, plans to deploy the artificial reef modules in just one day, weather permitting. The targeted date for deployment is on or around May 17, 2023, during the first favorable weather window. The reef modules are constructed from clean, durable concrete and limestone materials.

The project is yet another milestone in the ongoing 5-Year Artificial Reef Planto make Destin-Fort Walton Beach the dive capital of Florida. With this deployment, nearly 2,000 modules will make up more than 300 reef sites. This is in addition to the dozens of large vessels and other reef materials deployed in the area.

“Our long-term goal is to establish an exceptional artificial reef system that supports both the ecosystem and the community,” said Fogg. “We’re constantly seeking new opportunities and partnerships to bring this vision to fruition.”

The coordinates for all of these artificial reefs will be posted on Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s website after the deployment.

The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners has approved a $450,000 contract with Tri-Native Contractors Inc. for acquiring and preparing the 144-foot MV FANTASEA, a retired casino boat, to be sunk as an artificial reef off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

The FANTASEA currently sits in Louisiana but will be transported to Okaloosa County waters pending preparation as part of the county's 5-Year Artificial Reef Plan.
This is the fourth vessel the county has worked with Tri-Native on. They provided, cleaned and towed the MANTA, DOLPHIN and DEEP STIM.

"As with all of our artificial reef deployments, this vessel will provide essential new habitat for numerous fish species and an exciting new dive site for scuba divers and fishermen," said Alex Fogg, Okaloosa Coastal Resource Manager. "Adding new reefs enables us to continue boosting Destin-Fort Walton Beach's reputation as a premier fishing and diving destination in Florida."

The Board approved reallocating a portion of funds originally budgeted for the RV DEEP STIM III artificial reef project, which came in significantly under budget at one-third the projected cost thanks to a tri-county partnership and involvement by other community partners such as Coastal Conservation Association, Emerald Coast Reef Association and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association.

According to the contract, Tri-Native Contractors will fully clean and prepare the FANTASEA to meet all state and federal environmental standards for artificial reefs. This includes removing all hazardous fluids and materials, cleaning tanks and bilges, and scraping flaking paint for land disposal. The hull, propeller, shaft and superstructure will remain intact.

The company will also coordinate with a specialty marine contractor to cut holes for controlled flooding and even sinking. The total deployment cost is estimated around $65,000, which the county is seeking partnership funding for.

Walter Marine will complete the deployment adding to their resume of dozens of large vessels and tens of thousands of prefabricated reef modules being deployed throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

"The FANTASEA fits the design we are looking for to create interesting dive sites offshore Destin-Fort Walton Beach," added Fogg. "With numerous swim throughs and a high profile, we expect this to be another popular site not only for fishers and divers, but also for fish! While this isn't the first casino boat to be deployed off our coast, this is the largest and a more modern design which will last much longer.”

The FANTASEA is currently projected to be deployed later this year, providing a new diving and fishing site as well as spurring tourism and economic activity for the area.

The first 3D printed artificial reefs were deployed on Monday off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast, sinking 25 concrete modules to the Gulf floor to establish new marine habitat.

The Okaloosa Coastal Resource Team successfully completed the deployment of these innovative man-made reefs in state waters (within 9 miles of the shore), ranging from 60 to 90 feet deep across five permitted areas, said Alex Fogg, Coastal Resource Manager.

The $403,262 project is just part of a $1.26 million grant received from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Artificial Reef Creation and Restoration Project, which distributes BP oil spill recovery money for loss of use of the resource during the spill.

This is the second batch of funding from this granting source (first project completed in 2020). Environmental projects like artificial reefs are a great use of these funds as they provide numerous recreational opportunities to divers and fishers while also creating habitat that benefits the ecosystem, according to Fogg.

“We went out to bid and selected two contractors to handle this new reef project,” Fogg explained. “We selected Walter Marine to construct and deploy more than 250 concrete modules and 1Print to pilot a new artificial reef construction method, 3D concrete printing.”

1Print was historically involved in creating housing and mitigation structures such as breakwaters. They proposed the concept of 3D printing artificial reef modules and it was well received. Fogg collaborated with their team to create larger-scale versions of their models, aiming for substantial structures with plenty of nooks and crannies.

The finalized dimensions measured approximately 14 feet long, 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide, weighing 15,500 pounds each. The company can print 3 per day in their south Florida facility. Following construction, 1Print shipped the reefs to Orange Beach, AL and coordinated with Walter Marine to deploy their structures.

“It was cool to see two reef contractors working together to make this first-of-its-kind project happen here in Destin-Fort Walton Beach,” Fogg said.

The raw material for the reefs is concrete containing fiberglass rebar rather than traditional steel rebar. This is intended to improve durability in the marine environment.

Printing the reefs presented some new challenges for 1Print compared to past projects. Transporting the modules required some trial and error but they are confident with the process moving forward.

“We found some efficiencies that allowed us to go to mass scale and we’re confident we can go into mass production for future projects as well,” said Adam Friedman, co-founder of 1Print.

For a 3D construction company previously focused on real estate development, marine infrastructure provides a meaningful shift toward improving marine ecosystems.

The artificial reefs may tower 8 feet tall on the production floor, but they settle into the sandy bottom and act as a base structure welcoming marine residents.

“We’ve been deploying artificial reef modules here for many years, but these 3D printed reefs offer some nice diversity to the underwater landscape and may open the door to developing more complex structures,” Fogg said.

That diversity could come in the form of additional 3D printed artificial reefs in the future that Fogg says could be anything from structures designed to mimic familiar structures like concrete tanks to airplanes or abstract structures that have never been developed before.

“We’re hoping that this 3D technology will open the door for us to get a little more creative. We could have additional military designs that are constructed out of concrete, as opposed to having to source an actual plane or a tank that needs to be demilitarized,” he said. “At the end of the day, after a few years underwater, the growth on the structure will make it hard to tell the difference between a real or printed structure.

The designs provide a departure from typical secondary use materials like concrete culverts or retired ships. While Fogg said their more common reefs (prefabricated modules and vessels) effectively sustain sea life already, introducing different shapes and textures is welcomed by his team.

“We’re going to be monitoring these new reefs over time to see how they perform and see if there are design tweaks that we need to make, to make them more attractive to marine life,” said Fogg. “Time will tell how they perform, but this new technology is exciting and the variations from our existing projects continues to show that our area is at the forefront of artificial reef development.”

For 1Print, they could not be happier with the success of sinking these reefs offshore Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

“Alex and his team have been really supportive and they’re very passionate about this,” said Friedman. “It’s great to contribute to the area, the tourism and the ecosystem. We know it’s important to the residents and it’s important to us.”

In an effort to enhance marine habitats, Okaloosa County’s Tourism Development Department has successfully deployed more than 275 artificial reef structures off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

The $1.26 million project, funded by the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund, aims to create additional underwater habitats for marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.

The project, managed by the Coastal Resources Team of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, involved the deployment of 279 reef structures across 133 different sites.

The reefs range in size from 6 to 25 feet and were placed at depths varying from 65 to 292 feet, making them some of the deepest modules ever deployed by the county.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Coastal Resources Manager Alex Fogg expressed pride in the completion of this extensive project, stating, “Our area of the Gulf of Mexico is lacking in natural reef structures for marine life to thrive which is something we are working to change. Not only do artificial reefs create essential habitat for native species here in the Gulf, but they also provide ideal locations for fishermen and divers to visit.”

The project also featured the deployment of innovative 3D-printed modules in late February, which are the first of their kind in the Gulf of Mexico.

The construction and deployment work was carried out by contractors Walter Marine and 1Print over six deployment days from February to early May.

“This is a great example of how we continue to work to be good stewards of the environment that we depend on for our fishing and tourism industries,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon, commending the impressive effort to enhance marine life habitats.

The project was fully funded by a grant from the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Fund, administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Coordinates for these and other reefs off Destin-Fort Walton Beach can be found on the county’s official website.

That is incredible and quite awesome it’s gonna be here.

She on her way!

After nearly 30 years docked in Philadelphia, PA, the SS United States has begun its final voyage to become the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

The 990-foot vessel, which still holds the transatlantic speed record set on its maiden voyage in 1952, is now being towed around Florida’s coastline toward Mobile, AL, where it will undergo approximately a year of preparation before its deployment as an artificial reef.

Okaloosa County Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg, who is spearheading the project, said the acquisition process began about two-and-a-half years ago when a contractor working on other artificial reef projects messaged him about the ship.

“At that point I had never heard of the SS United States, so I looked her up and was immediately awestruck,” Fogg said. “I thought it was the Titanic for a second.”
The acquisition

The county began engaging with the SS United States Conservancy, the ship’s previous owner, last summer after a judge ruled the vessel needed to vacate its Philadelphia pier.

“After a lot of back and forth with them, they agreed that we could purchase it with the purpose of deploying it as an artificial reef offshore of Destin-Fort Walton Beach,” Fogg said.

The agreement includes funding for a land-based museum in the destination, which Fogg noted is unusual for artificial reef projects.

“There’s no other artificial reef that has a dedicated museum, but honestly, I don’t know of any other artificial reefs out there that could justify a museum,” he said.

The museum will feature artifacts the conservancy has been collecting for years, including at least one of the ship’s iconic funnels, its large anchor, and the propeller, which will be removed and preserved during the remediation process.

The vessel left Philadelphia about a week ago and is currently making its way around Florida’s coast, moving faster than initially expected thanks to the Vinik #6. It will soon enter the Gulf of Mexico and head to the Modern American Recycling Services facility in Mobile, AL, where it will undergo extensive remediation to prepare it for deployment as an artificial reef, led by county contractor, Coleen Marine Inc.

“There’s a lot of fuel oil still on board. There’s also hazardous paints, wiring, plastics and other things on board that are going to have to be removed,” Fogg explained.

The SS United States has several distinctions that make it historically significant. At 990 feet, it’s more than 100 feet longer than the Titanic. Built as part of a top-secret Cold War program, it was designed to be the world’s fastest and safest ship, reaching speeds of over 38 knots (about 44 miles per hour) during sea trials.

Its deployment as an artificial reef will surpass the USS Oriskany, an 888-foot aircraft carrier deployed offshore Pensacola in 2006, that is the current world’s largest artificial reef.

Project Costs

The total project cost is approximately $10.1 million, with $1 million for the purchase of the vessel, another $1 million allocated for the land-based museum, about $7.1 million for transport, cleaning, and preparation work, and $1 million for contingency costs. Fogg noted that the county expects about half of the project to be funded through grants and partnerships with private companies.

“We’ve been in discussions with a lot of public and private entities about funding share agreements,” he said. “I suspect we’ll be able to start talking about those in the next few months.”

The funds being used from Okaloosa County come from tourism tax dollars, which Fogg emphasized can only be spent on tourism-related initiatives. Further, tourism tax dollars are collected from hotel stays and not Okaloosa county residents.

“A lot of people think those funds should be spent on building roads or fixing infrastructure. The fact of the matter is tourism tax dollars can only be spent on things that benefit tourism,” he said.

Economic impact

The economic impact of the project is expected to be substantial. Fogg cited studies showing that the USS Oriskany generates around $3 million in economic impact annually, with expectations that the SS United States will bring in significantly more.

“I think we had a general idea on what sort of impact this vessel was going to have based on the USS Oriskany in Pensacola,” Fogg said. “The SS United States is certainly going to be bringing significantly more than $3 million of direct economic impact to the destination.”

The project has also generated considerable media attention. “As of last week we were over $241 million in earned media since October 1, 2024, which means that we would’ve had to spend over $241 million in order to get the level of media coverage that we’ve received to date,” Fogg said, adding that the figure is likely to increase as the project progresses.

Fogg believes the project will continue to elevate Destin-Fort Walton Beach to be a premier diving destination. While the county has deployed numerous ‘smaller’ artificial reefs in recent years, including vessels such as the RV Manta, RV Dolphin, RMS Atlantis, and USAF Big Dawg, the SS United States is on a different scale entirely.

“Once the SS United States is deployed, people are going to be learning about the destination, coming here to dive, and then not only discovering the hundreds of additional artificial reefs that have been deployed over the years, but also some of the other innovative programs we are establishing in the destination,” he said.
Depth and location

The ship is expected to be deployed in approximately 180 feet of water about 20 nautical miles from Destin’s East Pass. Despite the depth, Fogg said the vessel’s size means its upper decks will be at about 50-55 feet below the surface, making it accessible to divers of all skill levels.

“It’ll be very much accessible to the beginner diver as well as advanced and technical divers depending on what they’re wanting to do,” he said, adding that upper decks will be modified to reduce the risk of entrapment and ensure a safe diving experience .

Modifications to the ship will include removing the stacks and crow’s nest to allow for deployment in shallower water, modifying upper decks for safety, and adding openings to allow for diver and marine life egress.

The deployment itself will involve controlled flooding rather than explosives. “Some holes are cut just above the water line, patched, and then removed when it gets on site. Through hull valves will be opened and pumps are used to sink the vessel to the point where those holes begin to fill quickly with water,” Fogg explained.
The role of artificial reefs

Artificial reefs play a crucial role in Northwest Florida‘s marine ecosystem due to the lack of natural reef habitat, including coral reefs, which cannot survive in the region’s cooler winter waters.

“We rely on artificial reef habitat to be deployed to create sites for people to go diving and to go fishing,” Fogg said. “The benefit to the ecosystem is compounded because if you’re able to deploy hundreds of new artificial reefs… you’re able to spread that effort out a little bit and minimize the constant fishing and diving pressure on any single reef site.”

Currently, Destin-Fort Walton Beach has a database of over 570 public artificial reef sites, ranging from large shipwrecks to small concrete modules. If you consider individual structures, that number is in the thousands.

The SS United States is expected to attract numerous fish species almost immediately after deployment, including red snapper, amberjack, and groupers, as well as various pelagic species like mackerel and tuna.

“It’s going to attract plenty of fish right from the start,” Fogg said. “While that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve made it their home, it will take some time for growth to begin and to become a functioning ecosystem. But there will be things to see very quickly, besides a 1,000ft ship.”
Industry support

The project has received strong support from local fishing and diving operations, with dive shops already receiving numerous calls about the future reef.

“All of the dive shops and dive charters are getting call after call, asking to get on a boat for the deployment itself or just to go diving,” Fogg said. “They’re getting hundreds of calls on a weekly basis asking to come to the destination to go diving at this site.”

The fishing industry, which forms a significant part of the local economy, is also expected to benefit substantially.

“We have a huge for-hire fishing fleet here in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, the largest in the country,” Fogg noted. “I don’t think I’ve received a single negative comment from the fishing fleet just because it’s such a benefit to their industry.”

The project is expected to create a host of jobs, both during the preparation and deployment phases and afterward through increased tourism and recreational activities.

“Not only for the actual preparation and the deployment itself, but the boost in business for the existing operations and the amount of operations that are going to start up here in the destination,” Fogg said. “I know of a few folks who are getting boats and getting operations set up for when the SS United States is deployed, they can start taking people out there on dive charters.”
Looking ahead…

For those interested in seeing the ship, its route from the Florida Keys to Mobile will likely take it about 90 miles off the Okaloosa County coast, though its exact path may change based on weather conditions.

“When it gets into the Gulf, that’s when we’ll start to get additional weather routings, and it very well may reroute it to where it passes close to Northwest Florida and Okaloosa County, but we won’t know until the days leading up to its arrival,” Fogg said.

Aside from the records it set, the SSUS carried four U.S. presidents—Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and Bill Clinton—as well as numerous celebrities, including Marlon Brando, Coco Chanel, Sean Connery, Walt Disney, Marilyn Monroe, and Grace Kelly.

After being decommissioned in 1969, the ship passed through several owners, each with plans for its future that ultimately fell through. Since 1996, it had been docked at Pier 82 on Philadelphia’s Delaware River. The SS United States Conservancy purchased the vessel in 2011 with help from Philadelphia philanthropist H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest.

In June 2024, a federal judge ruled that the ship must vacate its Philadelphia location within 90 days, creating urgency for a new solution. This led to Okaloosa County’s purchase agreement, which was finalized in October.

The SS United States Conservancy will now focus on developing the land-based museum that will complement the artificial reef, allowing non-divers to learn about the historic vessel and its significance to American maritime history.

For Fogg and his team, the successful departure of the SS United States from Philadelphia represents a major milestone in a project that still has about a year of work ahead.

“This revamp of the artificial reef program in Okaloosa County is a direct result of our leadership on the Board of County Commissioners as well as the Tourism Development Council caring about our environment and wanting to make this happen,” Fogg said. “We wouldn’t be able to do this without their support.”

After traveling 1,800 nautical miles from Philadelphia, the SS United States has reached Mobile, Alabama, where Okaloosa County will begin the process of transforming the historic vessel into the world’s largest artificial reef.

The preparation work includes removing all non-metal items, wiring and fuel to ensure environmental safety. Working with the Department of Environmental Protection and Environmental Protection Agency, crews will cut strategic holes around the ship to ensure it lands upright when submerged. Additional passages will be created to allow marine life to move freely through the structure.

Once deployed about 20 nautical miles south of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, the artificial reef will sit in approximately 180 feet of water, with its upper deck about 55 feet below the surface. This range of depths will accommodate divers of varying experience levels, from beginners to technical divers.

A 60-foot barge with a motor grader was deployed Monday, May 5, to create the new Buddy Morgan Reef approximately 17 miles southeast of Destin Pass.

The reef, placed at a depth of 115 feet, was donated by Morgan Marine, a local marine contractor who approached the Okaloosa Natural Resources Team about repurposing the equipment that no longer served their original purpose.

“These types of projects are a great opportunity to repurpose materials that otherwise would become scrap,” said Mike Norberg, Okaloosa County Coastal Resource Manager.

Before deployment, crews removed all environmentally incompatible materials from the road grader, including rubber hoses, plastics, oil, fuel, grease, and other non-metal components. The grader was then welded to the barge for stability.

The Buddy Morgan Reef joins the Barnacle Reef Complex, which includes nearby pre-fabricated reef modules deployed in April 2006.

This isn’t Morgan Marine’s first contribution to local artificial reefs. The company previously donated a 64-foot steel tugboat named the M/V MISS JOANN, which is now part of an area known as The Boat Yard. Morgan Marine has also been the deployment contractor in numerous other vessels for the county, and handles most of the county’s derelict vessel removals.

Norberg said these donations provide “a low-cost opportunity to increase fishing and diving activities in Destin-Fort Walton Beach while also providing habitat for all sorts of marine life.”

Coordinates: 30° 09.007’N 86° 18.876’W.