The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the deployment of a 43-foot steel-hulled push barge vessel, originally slated for deployment on Thursday, August 12, has been rescheduled for the week of September 5, 2010.

The vessel, being sunk in memoriam of Gary Smith, a scuba diving instructor who recently passed away, will be deployed on the Barnegat Light Reef, located 3.0 nautical miles east of Barnegat Inlet in Ocean County. The vessel is being deployed as part of the Division's Artificial Reef Program.

Once sunk, the vessel will become a new home for approximately 150 species of fish and marine life, a fishing ground for anglers and an underwater attraction for scuba divers. The vessel will continue to serve the fishing industry for at least 50 years.

The target location for the deployment on the reef is: 39 45.050'   74 01.400'. Commercial fishers who have gear in this area must move it or risk having it destroyed.

The target date for deployment is subject to weather and sea conditions. For further information regarding the deployment of the vessel contact Hugh Carberry at 609-748-2022.