A former Indiana riverboat casino has been intentionally sunk off the Alabama coast to become the state’s largest artificial reef, creating a new habitat for marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.
The 408-foot Argosy VI, a four-storey barge, was sunk on Wednesday about 23 nautical miles south of Orange Beach. It now rests on the seabed in 122 feet of water, with the top of the structure lying just below 60 feet beneath the surface.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) said the new reef is expected to attract marine life while also becoming a destination for recreational divers and offshore anglers. Officials said it will also support the local charter fishing and diving industry.
The vessel took more than a year to prepare before it could be sunk. Workers removed environmental hazards and stripped the inside of the barge before salvage crews carried out a passive
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
