Volusia County recently acquired two large steel vessels that will be reefed in the coming months.

The 150' M/V Lady Philomena, photos attached and video link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8VcA5occXxuUi1IVEx5YmZ6QW8/view?usp=drive_web

And the 90' Tug Everglades, photos attached and video link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxtjpZGFz1FwODRsd01XdTdjQzg/view

The M/V Lady Philomena was donated to the county for reefing by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service after having been seized with contraband in the Miami River. 

The Tug Everglades was offered to the county for reefing by the shipyard where the M/V Lady Philomena was moored. 

Both vessels are currently being cleaned for ocean disposal and will be sunk together at artificial reef Site 12-SW adjacent to an existing large concrete culvert and structure reef.

This reef deployment will create a dynamic fishing and diving site that will provide habitat for a wide range of fish and invertebrate species.

Also, mooring balls will be placed on the Flagler and Sunglow nearshore artificial reef areas around the same time as the ship deployment. 

I will keep you posted as these projects move forward.

Thank you for your support of the Volusia County Marine Wildlife and Artificial Fishing Reef Program and have a great weekend.

Joe Nolin

Project Manager

Volusia County Coastal Division