Shortly after the explosive sinking of the USS Mohawk TISIRI divers investigated an artificial reef a few miles south of the Mohawk's resting location. The reef site is composed of two large metal barges, one of which is upside down and propped up at a 45 degree angle. The upside down barge is actually resting on concrete pieces and this is the explanation for the angled orientation. The angled barge creates a relief of nearly 20 feet off the sea floor and make for unique reef structure. The concrete under the barge creates many voids where fish and animals can take refuge while the largely still intact barge has become surface area for a great diversity of encrusting growth. See Pictures captured at Lee County's two barge reef site below..
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USS Mohawk Sinking News Segment
First Coast News interviews TISIRI's Joe Kistel in regards to the recent USS Mohawk artifiical reef deployment offshore Lee County Florida. Kistel describes the explosive ship sinking event and the significance of such a project in the county in which it resides. He also mentions TISIRI has a 200 foot vessel project in the works for northeast Florida. See the news clip below.
Read MoreInvestigating Hopper Car Reef, Lee County Florida
TISIRI divers entered the water around 9:30am not knowing what to expect when they reached the sea floor having never dove this reef area before. Water was very clear near the surface but degraded to about 15-20 feet of visibility at the ocean floor. The reef is described as being made from metal hopper cars and TISIRI divers encountered reef material very similar to some older metal barge reefs they have investigated in the past. The structure provided relief up to 20 feet in some areas and could best be described as mangled metal. Divers reported a great dive but warn other divers to be cautious while diving due to the projecting metal pieces throughout.
Read MoreMohawk Cutter Deployed At Charlie's Reef
The deployment was a great event with great weather, 100's of spectator boats, and an entertaining fireworks show. The Mohawk was sunk by the means of cutting charges; explosives that cut through the vessels hull allowing water to rush in. After the explosives were detonated the Mohawk sunk within minutes.TISIRI's Joe Kistel and Ed Kalakauskis participated in the deployment events and investigated nearby artificial reef locations for TISIRI's Reefs Reveal mapping efforts. Stay tuned for the deployment day video and pictures from near by reef locations.
Read MoreReef Ship Mohawk Departs Fort Myers
In less then 24 hours the cutter Mohawk will be resting on the sea floor offshore Lee county. Today, TISIRI's Joe Kistel and Ed Kalakauskis wish the Mohawk bon voyage. At roughly 9:30 this morning the ship called the Mohawk was untied from her last pier-side docking at Kelly Bro's Marina. The vessel began her tow offshore Lee County to anchor offshore for the sinking event tomorrow.
Read MoreLee County Mohawk Cutter Artificial Reef Deployment
For those of you that are interested in viewing the Mohawk Reef deployment by boat TISIRI has provided a map below with the GPS coordinates of the center of Charlie's Reef and other existing reef sites in the area including a sunken vessel and a railroad cars reef. The Mohawk will be deployed in the Chalie's reef site and we would recommend boaters to head towards GPS coordinates 26°33.20N 82°43.20W (Charlie's Reef center point) until they see the large Mohawk on the horizon. Once on site please be aware there will be a .5 mile clearance distance from the vessel.
Read MoreReggie's Tug Reef Offshore St Augustine Florida
One of the reefs TISIRI divers investigated this past weekend offshore St. Augustine Florida is a sunken tugboat known as Reggie's Tug. The wreck lies in about 100 feet of water roughly 25 miles East of the St. Augustine inlet. Although the tug boat is of modest size, under a 100 feet in length, it is a largely productive reef. The vessel structure is completely encrusted with coral, sponge, algae, and much more.
Read MoreSt. Augustine's Little Barge Reef
Offshore St. Augustine, in about 75 feet of water, lies a relatively small barge reef known as the little barge reef. With dimensions of 20 feet by 60 feet it is also known as the 20 X 60 barge. Although a smaller site it is packed full of marine life. Below are pictures of the reef structure and some of the marine life encountered.
Read MoreInvestigating Taylor Reef Offshore St. Augustine Florida
TISIRI investigated Taylor Reef offshore St. Augustine Florida this past Saturday. Offshore conditions were great, with mild seas and about 30 feet of visibility at the reef site. Divers encountered a variety of Fish species including grouper, snapper, tomtates, and much more. Also encountered were sea turtles and nurse sharks. See the pictures below to get a better idea of the reef structures and the inhabiting marine life.
Read MoreJacksonville Reefs Insight Event Success
On March 29th of this year TISIRI hosted a reefs insight event at Intuition Ale Works. The marine awareness and social event was a large success. We greatly appreciate everybody that was able to make it out. Below are pictures of the event. Please let us know if you find yourself in any of the pictures by commenting below. Thanks
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