National Guard donates surplus materials for artificial reef project

The city of North Myrtle Beach states with help from the S.C. Army National Guard, artificial reefs along the coast continue to flourish. 

According to a news release from NMB, for the thirteenth consecutive year, the S.C. Army National Guard has partnered with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to donate surplus materials to the Marine Artificial Reef program, a collaborative project known as Reef-Ex.

This year, the Jim Caudle Reef and Little River Offshore Reef in Horry County will receive the materials from the S.C. Army National Guard.

According to Bob Martore, DNR’s Marine Artificial Reef Program Coordinator, “We’re very excited to be partnering once again with the Army National Guard and the Jim Caudle Memorial Reef Foundation.  These organizations have done a great deal to assist our reef program through the years and these joint efforts have always resulted in exceptional reef habitat.” 

The Jim Caudle Reef is approximately 2.7 nautical miles from the south jetty of Little River and lies in water depths of 30 feet. The Little River Offshore Reef is approximately 10.5 nautical miles from Little River and lies in water depths of 60 feet. Both reef sites are marked by a yellow reef buoy. Existing artificial structures currently at these sites include: deck barges, bulk tankers, concrete rubble, concrete cones, armored personnel carriers, and tires in concrete units. For more information these reef locations, visit: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/reefguide/artificial_reef?p_location=North.

The DNR Artificial Reef program maintains 45 reef sites in estuarine, coastal and offshore waters.  The sites are marked with yellow buoys to assist boaters in locating and using artificial reefs.  For artificial reef locations and more information on the DNR’s Artificial Reef Program, visit http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/artificialreef.html. 

Coordinates for reefs receiving Reef-Ex materials in 2009:

• Jim Caudle Reef: 33 48.81 Latitude N / 78 30.51 Longitude W
• Little River Offshore Reef:  33 41.95 Latitude N / 78 26.64 Longitude W

A dedication ceremony for the Reef-Ex project will be held on Tuesday, July 7th at 11:00 am at Harbourgate Marina in North Myrtle Beach.

The actual drop will take place on Wednesday, July 8th at 10:00 am and several boats leaving from Harbourgate Marina will be available for media.

For more info or to RSVP contact Jennifer Prince at (843) 281-2662 or (843) 450-2554.