3D Models
The following models are protected by copyright. For permission to use them, contact [email protected]
M/V COURAGEOUS
M/V COURAGEOUS was originally built in Amal, Sweden, in 1956. She launched under the name M/V HOMBORSUND and operated under a Norwegian flag. She changed names a few times throughout her career, including after she was seized by U.S. authorities in 1985 for smuggling. She was sold to SunMar Inc, and the now M/V SUNMAR SEA was fully rebuilt forward of her engine room. She was ultimately acquired by the Air Force for use in a demonstration of a new weapons delivery system. The vessel was sunk off the coast of Okaloosa County as part of the exercise that took place on April 28, 2022. The blast broke the ship in two, causing the bow section to rotate a full 180 degrees. The two halves of the ship now rest side by side on a sandy seabed at a depth of 130 feet (39.5 meters). The twisted hull at the point of impact offers some interesting swim-throughs, although there is a high risk of entanglement. The ship’s forward hold and superstructure offer penetration opportunities.
USAF BIG DAWG
USAF BIG DAWG is a 93-foot-long (28.5-meter) surplus Air Force Parachute Water Survival School training vessel deployed as an artificial reef in May 2021. Donated by the Air Force, USAF BIG DAWG settled upright on a sandy seabed at a depth of 104 feet (32 meters). The artificial reef offers nearly 30 feet (9 meters) of relief off the seafloor, offering divers the opportunity to explore its many levels. Holes cut in the deck prior to deployment allow access to the vessel’s mess hall, classroom and living quarters.
DESTIN JETTY
The Destin East Jetty, also called the Finger Jetty or just Destin Jetty, extends over 300 feet (91 meters) into Destin East Pass and reaches a maximum depth of around 50 to 55 feet (15 to 16.5 meters) at its point. Depth can vary depending on how the currents have shifted around the sand bars in the channel. The jetty is best visited at slack high and low tide, as the currents in the pass can be strong at other times. Visibility is best around high tide when clean water from the Gulf of Mexico has replaced the murkier water from Choctawhatchee Bay. The jetty itself is merely a large pile of rocks, but it supports an incredible array of marine life, which is what makes it so popular with divers and snorkelers alike. Two small statues can be seen on the northern slope of the jetty right where the jetty transitions to sand.
M/V MISS JOANN
M/V MISS JOANN was the last of three vessels deployed as artificial reefs at the site named the Boat Yard. The 64-foot (19.5-meter) steel-hulled tugboat was deployed on March 2, 2022. Located just 75 feet (23 meters) away from the other vessel reefs at this site, M/V MISS JOANN offers more than 28 feet (8.5 meters) of relief and features a mermaid statue by artist Meg Powell anchored to the forward deck. Divers can explore the vessel’s interior, including the main deck area as well as the wheelhouse.
M/V BRANNON AND S/V DYLAN
S/V DYLAN was a 61-foot (18.5-meter) steel-hulled sailboat that was confiscated by U.S. Customs. The vessel was the first artificial reef in the Boat Yard reef site, and it was deployed September 10, 2020. M/V BRANNON was deployed less than a year later, on July 29, 2021. The 65-foot (20-meter) steel-hulled experimental military “fast response” catamaran settled upright just a few feet from the S/V DYLAN, which rests on its starboard side. The two artificial reefs sit just 75 feet (23 meters) away from the third wreck of the Boat Yard, M/V MISS JOANN. The aft end of the M/V BRANNON superstructure has collapsed, with the upper deck lying in the sand of the vessel’s starboard stern area, but the artificial reef still offers 14 feet (4 meters) of relief. The wrecks have been well colonized with marine creatures, including sea urchins and schools of red snapper.
BARREL BARGE
Barrel Barge was deployed by Okaloosa County as an artificial reef in 1992 along with large fuel tanks and the bed of a dump truck – the latter was welded to the top of the barge just before deployment but has long since eroded away. Hurricanes have scattered the fuel tanks around the site, but a handful remain adjacent to the barge, partly covered in sand. Currents can shift the sand around the site, covering and uncovering the tanks at various times. The site provides plenty of relief to attract reef fish, including tomtates, grunts, drums, soapfish, flounder and grouper.
RMS ATLANTIS
RMS ATLANTIS was a 125-foot-long (38-meter) supply vessel originally built in 1979. Her RMS designation is for Royal Mail Service, and she likely carried mail for the British Royal Mail, along with other supplies, out to offshore oil fields. She operated in the oil industry, likely for BP or some other British oil and gas company. She was ultimately deployed as an artificial reef on June 29, 2023. She currently sits upright on a sandy seabed at a depth of 80 feet (24.5 meters). The top of her wheelhouse reaches 52 feet (16 meters) putting her within reach of most recreational divers.
BASKINS BARGE
Baskins Barge was an 80-foot-long (24.5 meter) lighter barge deployed as an artificial reef in 1996 at a depth of 135 feet (41 meters). She was originally used to deploy the military training range towers that currently sit east of Apalachicola, Florida. The wrecks large frame tops out at a minimum depth of 92 feet (28 meters) offering over 40 feet (12 meters) of relief. Divers are likely to see amberjacks, grouper, snapper and spadefish.
MACS REEF
The Charles H. McClenahan Memorial Reef is named after Charles “Mac” McClenahan, a former Department of Defense employee with 50 years of service. Beginning in 1964, Mac spent 20 years of his 22-year stint at the Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) as part of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team. He then went on to spend 28 years in the Civil Service, with a specialty in weapons and munitions. His main focus of work was concrete structures and how best to defeat them. His work led to the destruction of an untold number of concrete targets over the years. The memorial reef, known colloquially as “Mac’s Reef,” is fittingly made up of old concrete targets from nearby Eglin AFB. The southern half of the site consists of concrete culverts also provided by the base. The site is popular with divers due to its complex habitat, shallow depth and its relative proximity to the pass. In September 2020, a 9/11 memorial was added to the site’s northeast corner featuring steel and concrete pieces from the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
SEA BARB PADDLEWHEEL
Sea Barb Paddlewheel (also called Odyssey) was an 85-foot (26-meter) steel hulled paddlewheeler deployed as an artificial reef in 2002. The vessel once worked the waters of the Mississippi River by some accounts. Currently, the wreck rests on a sandy seabed at a depth of 110 feet (33.5 meters).
WALTON HOPPER BARGE
M/V CHEPANOC
M/V CHEPANOC was a 129-foot (39.3m-meter) utility tug deployed by Okaloosa County as and artificial reef in 2005. She sits upright and intact on a sandy bottom in 108 feet (33-meters). Limited penetration is possible through a large access point behind the wheelhouse, while the wheelhouse itself is accessible as well. Numerous fish species are known to inhabit this wreck, including a large goliath grouper. Schools of Atlantic spadefish and vermillion snapper sometimes obscure the wreck, while angelfish and butterflyfish often cruise across the hull alone or in pairs. This wreck was added to the popular Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail in 2020.
R/V MANTA
M/V BELIZE QUEEN
M/V BELIZE QUEEN, as is the case with many tugboats deployed as artificial reefs, little is known about her origins. Officially this site carries the name Bob Reay Reef, as a memorial to an Okaloosa County resident who supported the artificial reef program. M/V BELIZE QUEEN is an 85-foot (26-meter) tugboat deployed as an artificial reef in May 2001. The rear wall of her wheelhouse is missing, which allows access to the partially enclosed space. Her stern is almost complete buried in the sand, which makes her appear to be sinking into the seabed. She sits on a sandy bottom at a depth of 112 feet (34 meters) making her accessible to advanced divers only. Blue angelfish, hinds, amberjacks frequent this site, as well as slipper lobsters. She was added to the popular Panhandle Shipwreck Trail in 2020.
EGLIN BARGE
The Eglin Barge was deployed in 1977- Officially the seventh deployment of the Okaloosa County artificial reef program. This site goes by various names, including 100’ Barge, Eglin Barge and Air Force Barge, all descriptive of the origin and size of the original vessel. This site offers just 4 feet (1 meter) of relief from the seabed at a depth of 68 feet (20.5meters). A goliath grouper is reported to inhabit the bow area.
M/V MISS NELLIE
M/V JANET
M/V JANET was a tugboat deployed as an artificial reef by Okaloosa County in October 1997. She is 85 feet (26 meters) in length and currently sits upright on a sandy seabed at a depth of 97 feet (29.5 meters). The multiple doorways and large hole in her main deck allow limited penetration into her interior. Her wheelhouse is also intact, giving divers plenty to explore during their bottom time. Barracuda are common on this site, along with soapfish and gag grouper. Janet was added to the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail in 2020, joining an elite list of other popular sites in the region.