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Shipwreck Reborn: Sunken Freighter Becomes Ocean Reef
27 Oct
Summary
- An abandoned freighter was intentionally sunk off Florida's coast.
- The ship, now named Boo McCulley Reef, serves as artificial marine habitat.
- Sinking the vessel was the most cost-effective disposal method.
An abandoned freighter, once languishing in the Miami River for a decade, has been given a new purpose as an artificial reef. On November 18, 2025, the 227-foot ship, known as the Borocho, was deliberately sunk approximately nine miles off Martin County, Florida, creating the Boo McCulley Reef. This transformation was funded by the FWC's Derelict Vessel program and Martin County Environmental Resources.
The sinking process involved cutting holes in the vessel to facilitate rapid submersion, with the ship resting on the seafloor about 180-200 feet below the surface. The decision to create an artificial reef was driven by economics, proving to be the least expensive method for disposing of the derelict vessel, saving significant costs for the state's derelict vessel program.
The new reef is named in honor of John "Boo" McCulley, who played a significant role in building artificial reefs in Florida waters for over two decades. The Boo McCulley Reef also extends a pre-existing fishing corridor, enhancing a popular area for recreational anglers targeting reef fish.
While the FWC anticipates the reef will provide marine habitat, boost fish populations, and create new opportunities for fishing and diving, the scientific impact on fish populations remains a complex topic. Research indicates that artificial reefs may attract existing fish rather than create new populations, though the precise effects are difficult to distinguish and depend on various ecological factors.
