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Deployment of the USS Arthur W. Radford

October 20, 2010

Preparation of the Radford - NJ.com Story and Video

A much anticipated addition to the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's Artificial Reef Program is the USS Arthur W. Radford, the longest vessel yet to be deployed anywhere off the entire Atlantic coast.

The Arthur W. Radford measures 563 feet in length, 55 feet in beam and displaces more than 9000 tons. Placement of a vessel of this magnitude on an artificial reef will provide immediate ecological, recreational and economic benefits. The reef supporting structure is expected to last more than 100 years, providing essential marine habitat and recreational angling and diving opportunities for generations to come.

The Radford Reefing Project is being accomplished through a collaborative effort between the U.S. Navy and the states of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Each participant is contributing equally toward the cost of cleaning, towing and scuttling. New Jersey's entire share is being covered by a donation from the Ann E. Clark Foundation, a significant contributor toward reef construction during the past ten years.

The Radford will lie in approximately 135 feet of water as part of the Deljerseyland Inshore reef. The distance from the surface to the top of the vessel will be 60 feet allowing novice as well as experienced technical divers to explore, speargun hunt and catch lobsters. The massive reef is anticipated to become the premier dive attraction in the Northeast.

The immense structure of the Arthur W. Radford will provide unmatched habitat for pelagic and demersal fishes. The reef will be a great location to troll for bluefin tuna and drift for mako sharks as well as catch reef associated species such as tautog and black sea bass.

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Department of Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402

Last Updated: October 20, 2010