Former Navy Destroyer Becomes East Coast’s Largest Artificial Reef
The U.S.S. Arthur W. Radford was sunk on August 10th off of the Maryland coast, becoming the largest artificial reef in the east coast of the United States.
The 563-foot formal Naval destroyer, is part of the “Del-Jersey-Land Reef” –Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland- an artificial reef project in the adjoining waters of the three states. A marine salvage team sunk the wreck sunk in 135 feet of water in just under fours roughly equidistant from Ocean City, MD; Cape May, NJ; and Indian River, DE.
"It's going to be a huge economic boost for Ocean City," said Erik Zlokovitz, artificial reef coordinator for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. "It is expected to attract bluefish, sea bass, weakfish, sharks and tuna, and that will attract our charter fleet."
Local governments are hoping that the fish life attracted to the artificial reef will bring in more fishing and diving, helping to soften the $945,000 cost split by the three states. In addition to the tuna, sharks, bluefish, and sea bass soon expected to inhabit the wreck by local officials, the sinking brought back together some of the crew who served on the destroyer.
"There were 30 destroyers in this class and there's only two l eft, and the Radford is one," said Al Baughman, a crewmember who served on the ship for its inaugural voyage in 1977. "The others were used for target practice. It's good to see that she'll be used to give fishermen and divers new opportunities. It's an honorable ending and a satisfying beginning."
