Home / Environment / Fire-Damaged Tugboat Finds New Life as Artificial Reef
Fire-Damaged Tugboat Finds New Life as Artificial Reef
1 Nov
Summary
- A fire-damaged tugboat was intentionally sunk off Cape Lookout on August 1, 2024.
- The sunken vessel now serves as part of an artificial reef for marine life.
- Research shows artificial reefs can rival natural reefs in fish populations.
A tugboat, previously damaged by a fire, has been intentionally sunk off Cape Lookout, North Carolina, to serve as a new addition to an artificial reef. The vessel, named Thomas Dann, entered service in 1981 and experienced a significant fire in 2016. Donated by Marinex Construction Co., it was thoroughly cleaned to meet EPA standards before being prepared and submerged by Stevens Towing on August 1, 2024.
This sunken tug now rests at the AR-305 reef site, a popular location for fishermen and divers. Artificial reefs are man-made structures designed to foster marine life in otherwise barren underwater environments. They provide essential hiding, feeding, and spawning grounds for fish, supporting both commercial and sport fishing industries. North Carolina maintains 72 such reefs across its waters.
The AR-305 reef is already home to two older vessels, the Spar (sunk in 1988) and the Aeolus (sunk in 2004), along with approximately 1,700 tons of recycled concrete deployed in July 2023. Located about 28 nautical miles south of Beaufort Inlet, the reef sits at a depth of 105 feet.
Research suggests these artificial habitats are effective. A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Marine Science found that artificial reefs comparable in fish density, biomass, species richness, and diversity to natural reefs. While not a universal solution, the study implies that artificial reefs can be valuable tools when strategically designed for local conditions, offering a fresh start for decommissioned structures like the Thomas Dann.
