From the Atlantic City Press...

[parrottheaddiver]

May 19, 2005

Mystery ship
A decommissioned U.S. Navy tanker that was sunk off Long Beach Island this week will get a new life by attracting new life. The ship will become an undersea habitat for marine life as part of the state's artificial reef program. What it won't get, however, is its name back.

The Navy doesn't release the names of these decommissioned vessels. Scuttlebutt says the policy was made out of deference to the former crews of these vessels. So for interested divers, it's just going to be "that old Navy tanker they turned into a reef."

did/does anyone know anything about this ship?? what depth is it, etc...

 

[diveh3]

Not sure if any of these are it but this was the latest list I saw
http://peoships.crane.navy.mil/reefing/inventory.htm
This list is over a year old???

 

[Jonny_Rocket]

I watched them sink the boat on the news last night... they talked more about the subway cars that were sunk than the actual boat. No idea how deep, but would assume it's in the 60-100 foot range.

 

[KidK9]

Cool deal, I like to hear it!!!

 

[skyking]

May 19, 2005

did/does anyone know anything about this ship?? what depth is it, etc...

According to this http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050518/NEWS/505180346/1001/NEWS01 the bottom's at 80 ft.

 

[Wristshot]

According to the news report it is the YO-153, but it will be called "Helis" on navigational charts. According to the Naval Vessel Registry site, the Y)-153 is one of a group of ships in the YO-153 class. In addition, the YO-153 class ships have no name. It was a fuel oil barge. 156 feet long, 370 tons, delivered in 1943. Most of the other barges in the YO-153 class were dealt with in the mid 70's.

According to the Defense Reutilzation and Marketing Service web site, it is a "non-self propelled liquid cargo barge designed to carry liquid petroleum products for refueling ships" etc.

Build Date 1943
Length 156'
Extreme Beam 30'
Steel Hull, Steel Superstructure
According to the navy, at the time is was offered for bid it was in "fair" condition.

According to the newsletter N J Reef News the YO-153 is 170' long.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2005/reef_news05.pdf

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection confirms that the wreck will be called Helis.