Dale Shively, coordinator of the Artificial Reef program, reports that within a year of the sinking, the vessel will develop a marine habitat of barnacles, corals, sponges, clams, bryozoans and hydroids and will attract fish and mobile invertebrates.
Species seen on area rigs include barracuda, ling, jacks, spadefish, sheepshead, butterflies, blennies, turtles, and more.
This ecosystem will mature over a number of decades, offering more every year to the sport diving enthusiast.