Cape May-Lewes ferry, MV Twin Capes (photo credit: DNREC
by Sherilyn Lau
Have you ever wondered what’s on the ocean floor? Or maybe you’ve thought about what type of home supports marine life such as sea whips and mussels?
On the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, 26 miles due east of the Indian River Inlet in Delaware, lies a collection of retired vessels given new purpose as part of the Del-Jersey-Land Inshore Artificial Reef.
I’ve experienced the cleanup process of several retired military vessels as they were readied to become these new deep-water homes. These vessels hold historical and cultural significance as former World War II destroyers or vessels that have served in rescue missions. Upon their conversion to reefs, these vessels develop ecological significance as hard substrate for underwater organisms and serve as habitat or refuge for fish and other marine life.
EPA scientific diver collecting samples to determine the ecological succession of marine organisms on the artificial reef
The Del-Jersey-Land reef is home to the destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford, the former freighter turned menhaden fishing vessel, MV Shearwater, and the Zuni/Tamaroa, a Coast Guard cutter most famous for a rescue depicted in the book and movie The Perfect Storm. Click here for a video of her scuttling.
I recently had the opportunity to walk through the retired Cape May-Lewes ferry, MV Twin Capes, to ensure it was properly prepared to become the latest addition to the reef.
The MV Twin Capes was part of the original 1970s Cape May-Lewes Ferry fleet. Due to low ridership, the Delaware River and Bay Authority decided to put her up for sale in 2013. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) acquired the vessel in 2017 and is responsible for the cleaning and proper waste management of materials removed from the ship.
DNREC demonstrated that no PCBs were detected in the samples taken from the vessel to ensure compliance with the Toxic Substances Control Act. In addition, large electronics, bulk debris and recyclables were removed. Photo documentation, manifests of waste disposal, U.S. Coast Guard and marine chemist reports, as well as a signed affidavit by DNREC, were provided to EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region to satisfy EPA’s and the Maritime Administration’s national guidance.
The MV Twin Capes was sunk on June 14 and this hard reef structure is expected to support the aquatic food chain and larger marine species. Our Scientific Dive Unit is capturing the functional progress of these artificial reefs in partnership with DNREC. MV Twin Capes and the other artificial reefs will continue to support the regional economy by attracting recreational diving and sports fishing from Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland.
Although they may not be active in their traditional sense, there is an underworld of activity that still surrounds and occupies these proud vessels.
About the Author: Sherilyn Lau is an Environmental Scientist in EPA Region 3’s Environmental Assessment and Innovation Division, Office of Monitoring and Assessment, Coastal Science Team
