California Ships to Reefs' vision is to establish a regional system of artificial reefs along the California coast to improve and enhance the California fish, plant and marine ecosystem, and to enhance the tourism industry centered on fishing and diving.
"I think reefing ships is a fantastic win/win/win scenario for sport divers, sport fishermen and the environment. Natural wrecks break down into rubble piles over time and though they will continue to attract fish, the bigger the structure the bigger the attraction and the bigger the ecosystem it will hold and or attract." -- Richie Kohler, Advisory Board, Ships to Reefs International
Quoted from California Diver Magazine
Projects In Review

The Board of Directors (BOD) retains sole authority to recognize and declare an official Project of California Ships to Reefs. A recognized California Ships to Reefs Project will allow California Ships to Reefs resources to be utilized to aid in the Project’s successful completion. To provide for the best result for all recognized California Ships to Reefs Projects, the BOD will apply a uniform process to consider all project opportunities.

Read the entire policy here.



USS WillametteUSS Willamette AO-180 (Cimarron Class fleet oiler):
Commissioned 12/18/82, placed out of service, laid up and struck from the Naval Register 4/30/99. Displacement: 37,000 t.(fl); Length: 700'; Beam: 88'; Draft: 32'; Speed: 19 kts.; Capacity: 150,000 barrels of fuel oil or aviation fuel and several tons of additional goods; Crew: 15 officers and 215 enlisted; Armament: two 20mm Phalanx CIWS; Aircraft: None, but helicopter platform; Propulsion: two 600 psi Boilers (Automated Steam); one propeller. Currently laid up in the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet.



planetree.pngUSCGC Planetree WLB-307 (Mesquite Class Buoy Tender):
Built 1943, Laid up 05-17-99. Displacement: 1,025 full, 700 lt; Length: 180 feet overall; Draft: 14’ 7” (1966); Beam: 37 feet; Propulsion: 1 electric motor connected to 2 Westinghouse generators driven by 2 Cooper- Bessemer-type GND-8, 4-cycle diesels, single screw; Top speed: 13.0 kts; Planetree was extensively refit in 1966 and contains PCB laden material, according to the Coast Guard.



iris.pngUSCGC Iris WAGL-395/WLB-395 (Iris Class Buoy Tender):
Built in 1944; Laid-up 08-08-97. Displacement: 1,026 full (1966), 700 light (1966); Length: 180 feet overall; Draft: 14’ 7” (1966); Beam: 37 feet; Propulsion: 1 electric motor connected to 2 Westinghouse generators driven by 2 Cooper-Bessemer-type GND-8, 4-cycle diesels, single screw; Top speed: 11.9 kts sustained (1966). Iris was extensively refit in 1966 and contains PCB laden material, according to the Coast Guard. Coast Guard vessels are universally respected and admired. Reefing these vessels would be a show of respect and an opportunity to publicize her history on the reef she would become as well as at complimentary shore sites. These smaller vessels would also be appropriate for a shallower site.



b39.pngB-39 (Soviet Submarine):
Built in early 1970s; Displacement: 2000+ tons; Length: 300 feet overall; NATO classification "Foxtrot". She is currently on exhibit at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Donation of the vessel by the Maritime Museum of San Diego, tour fees to be collected from title transfer through to sinking date. The Museum will assist in identifying other local funding opportunities Reefing this vessel would be a show of respect and memorial to her crew, and an opportunity to publicize her history on the reef she would become as well as at a complimentary shore sites - proposed at the Maritime Museum of San Diego (MMSD).



Dana Point Harbor Pilings
Approximately 1,200 concrete clad steel or steel clad concrete pier pilings. The pilings are currently part of the dock structure of Dana Point Harbor (DPH). The pilings will become available as the result of a planned re-construction of DPH that will occur from 2010 through 2020. The sink location with the greatest potential is off the Dana Point coastline with the item submerged at recreational dive depths. This is not a ship-based project but our VP Science Andrew Lee advises that pier pilings of this type and number are among the best artificial reef materials available.
 
 
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