On 18th April, a team hired by Okaloosa County sank a vessel off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
In particular, the reefed vessel will provide artificial habitat for fish and marine life on the bottom, creating ecosystem benefits and new attractions for anglers and divers.
The Okaloosa County Coastal Resource Team with Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism sank the 100-foot vessel RMS Cyclops at a position about four nautical miles to the southeast of Destin East Pass. The vessel is now 72 feet deep and four nautical miles offshore, according to county officials.. The wreck came to rest upside down and can be found at 30° 20.838 N, 86° 26.239 W.
According to an announcement of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners, this is the first state-water vessel deployment in about 20 years off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.
Marine life seeks out structures to live and thrive. These artificial structures provide that habitat for these creatures. It provides marine life with a robust ecosystem that was previously lacking off the shores of our beaches in the Gulf of Mexico.
..said Okaloosa County Coastal Resource Team.
Officials in Destin, Florida intentionally sank the RMS Cyclops on Tuesday to create an artificial reef that “provides marine life with a robust ecosystem.” The vessel is now 72 feet deep and four nautical miles offshore, according to county officials. pic.twitter.com/Aqu5KNXH1Q
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 19, 2023
