Tugboat Added To Reef Structure Off Georgia Southern Coast

There’s new offshore fish habitat in about 50 feet of water off Georgia’s southern coast. The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of Georgia DNR sank a retired tugboat offshore for use as an artificial reef. The 41-foot tugboat named Brenda K. was sunk at Artificial Reef KBY, 8 nautical miles east of Cumberland Island (GPS: 30.805283, -81.27555).

The Brenda K. was donated to CRD by Amelia Island Marina in Fernandina Beach, Fla., after the vessel was abandoned there some years ago, said Paul Medders, CRD’s Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Unit lead.

“This latest reef deployment was a great inter-state partnership between our neighbors to the south and Georgia DNR,” Medders said. “By donating this retired tug boat, Amelia Island Marina is keeping it out a landfill and helping it become substrate for reef life like encrusting organisms, corals, and fish. We’re happy to take it off their hands and put it to good use for years to come.”

Artificial reefs are man-made structures that are placed on the ocean floor to provide habitat for marine life. The Brenda K, like all ships and mechanical equipment used as reef material, was meticulously cleaned and inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard before being towed for sinking. CRD has deployed a variety of materials to artificial reefs off Georgia’s coast, including ships, barges, and concrete structures. Artificial reefs attract all manner of marine life and fish, including groupers, snappers, and sea bass. This new reef addition will provide additional habitat for fish and other marine life, and will also create new recreational opportunities for anglers and divers.

“The addition of this new artificial reef is a great example of how we are working to protect and enhance Georgia’s marine resources,” Medders added. “Georgia’s gently sloping offshore underwater environment is generally sandy and doesn’t provide a lot of great habitat for fish. By creating artificial reefs and adding new materials periodically, CRD is ensuring there will be habitat for fish to spawn and thrive for generations to come.”

CRD is committed to protecting and enhancing Georgia’s marine resources. The sinking of this new artificial reef is just one example of how CRD is working to achieve this goal. To learn more about CRD’s Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Unit, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/HERU. Georgia motorists can also support artificial reef creation by purchasing a “Support Marine Habitat” and their county tag offices. Visit DriveGeorgiaWild.com for more information.