Source: NCDENR, 7/24/20 The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program, in partnership with the Brian Davis Artificial Reef Memorial, sank a 180-foot vessel today
in Southern Onslow Bay. The Brian Davis is a memorial vessel, named in
honor of a diver who lost his life in a diving accident several years
ago. The Brian Davis is
located at AR-368, which is about 15 miles from Topsail Inlet and 18 miles from
Masonboro Inlet. This project was funded by donations from the diving community
as well as Coastal Recreational Fishing License funds. The Brian Davis is a 180-foot Iris class buoy tender, originally commissioned by
the US Coast Guard and named Salvia. The vessel was constructed in
1943 and began work in the Great Lakes as an icebreaker in 1944. The vessel
served in Portsmouth, Virginia during World War II and was moved to Alabama
after the war where she remained until decommissioned in 1991. The tug was cleaned of
environmental pollutants in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations prior to
reefing. Its placement leaves a navigational clearance of approximately 20
feet. The division plans to sink some large reef balls and concrete pipe at the
site later this fall. GPS coordinates for AR-368 are: 34° 09.514’ N, 77° 25.782’ W. The ship sinking project cost
$268,000. The Davis Family, through fundraising, donated $65,000 towards the
vessel. The remaining $203,000 was funded by a Coastal Recreational Fishing
License grant.
An artificial reef is a manmade underwater structure, typically built to
promote marine life in areas with a generally featureless bottom. In North
Carolina, they serve as crucial spawning and foraging habitat for many
commercially and recreationally important fish species. The division maintains 68
artificial reefs, located from estuarine waters to 38 miles from shore. They
are situated so that they can be reached from every maintained inlet in the
state. For more
information, about the program or the vessel sinking, contact Artificial Reef
Program Coordinator Jordan Byrum at 252-808-8036
or Jordan.Byrum@ncdenr.gov. View video of the ship
sinking here.
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