A huge ship is being used to make way for an artificial reef at Jacksonville Inlet

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On Wednesday morning in Duval County, a 180-foot barge was deployed to make its way to Harm’s Ledge to create the “Ripper Reef.”

The ship made a 45-mile journey to Harm’s Ledge, a pre-permitted reef location known to attract flounder, snapper, gag grouper, black sea bass and other species.

“There’s nothing there, just pure sand,” said Frank Gius, director of habitat and environmental restoration at the Coastal Conservation Association Florida. ‘When this ship hits the bottom, it will be an oasis in the desert. Fish will come through immediately in a year or two. It will be a fully thriving reef.”

The CCA, along with the Cameron Smith Foundation and Kistel Media, have joined forces to deploy the vessel to meet habitat needs in a transitional area that will “increase recreational fishing and diving opportunities and also aims to reduce pressure at natural reef locations.

CCA Florida is committed to improving and creating sustainable fisheries, coastal habitats and waterways, and the Ripper Reef is an extension of that commitment,” said Brian Gorski, CAA Executive Director.

The ship was named Ripper Reef by avid fisherman and Jacksonville resident Cameron Smith, who decided to name the ship after Smith’s LIV golf team called “Ripper GC.”

This was the largest deployment of ships since 2000.

The Northeast Florida chapter of the CCA also had a hand in the effort.

“We have a lot of projects with oysters, mussels, pretty much anything that has to do with cleaning up our waterways and improving our habitat in Northeast Florida is our real goal, this would create an artificial habitat for more fish, more beta fish, protection for species… go some way to helping our Northeast Florida fisheries,” said Chapter President Mark Feagle.

The CCA has deployed 46 artificial reefs throughout Florida since 2008.

Watch the ship descend into 100 to 100 feet of water to land in its new home: