A brand new man made reef is now in space in the waters off Destin-Castle Walton Seaside, Florida.
The damaged-down learn vessel R/V MANTA used to be intentionally sunk roughly 16 nautical miles (30km) offshore on January 15th, 2023.
According to the Okaloosa County Vacationer Pattern Department:
“This expansion helps a protracted-term vision of constant to develop as a sought-after destination for these hunting for premier fishing and diving alternatives.”
The MANTA’s sister ship, R/V DOLPHIN, might perchance well be space to be sunk in the house in the impending weeks.
Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners Chairman Trey Goodwin said:
“That is a thrilling new addition to our increasing man made reef plan, and we are extraordinarily ok with the work the Coastal Resource group has performed with this effort. No longer simplest will it offer extra fishing and diving alternatives, nonetheless this can continue to clutch vital ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.”
R/V MANTA used to be sunk in roughly 110 toes (33.5m) of water and capabilities a statue of Jesus is called the “Christ of the Gulf,” paying homage to the series of other statues at some stage in the world.
The statue is positioned on the head deck at a depth of about 50 toes (15m) making it accessible to even beginner divers.
“Christ of the Gulf” used to be created by Glenn Camplejohn who’s portion of the Deepwater Mafia, a Christian dive club from Mississippi that dives in the house continuously.
Coastal Resource Manager Alex Fogg said:
“The deployment of the R/V MANTA and R/V DOLPHIN in the impending weeks, are no longer simplest most important by system of the leisure alternatives they indicate, nonetheless additionally they present habitat for vital species of fish that inhabit our plan. We’re in actuality dwelling to bigger than 400 man made reefs, and it’s been exceptional to sight how our efforts are no longer simplest contributing to treasured experiences out on the water, nonetheless also to the protection of these gentle environments. The addition of both vessels marks the starting up of what we hope to be a celebratory year of even extra impactful costal efforts ahead.”
John Lianghttps://www.deeperblue.com/
John Liang is the Data Editor at DeeperBlue.com. He first got the diving worm while in Excessive College in Cairo, Egypt, the set apart he earned his PADI Commence Water Diver certification in the Crimson Sea off the Sinai Peninsula. Since then, John has dived in a volcanic lake in Guatemala, among white-tipped sharks off the Pacific Cruise of Costa Rica, and other locations including a pool in Las Vegas helping to damage the world file for the suitable underwater press conference.
