The 75-foot former scuba diving liveaboard NEKTON RORQUAL was successfully deployed as an artificial reef around 5 p.m. Friday, officially becoming the “Ted Forsgren Nekton Rorqual Reef” off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast.  

• Coastal Conservation Association Florida funded half of the project and named the reef. The reef will honor Ted Forsgren, who served as CCA Florida’s first employee and Executive Director in 1985 and held that position for 27 years. A lifelong conservation advocate, Forsgren was instrumental in advancing landmark fisheries policy in Florida.

The deployment marks the completion of one-half of a two vessel project that began in April 2024, when Okaloosa County received the donated vessel from designer and builder John Dixon. 

Built in Port St. Joe, Florida, in 2001, the NEKTON RORQUAL originally served as a scuba diving liveaboard capable of accommodating 32 passengers and 12 crew members for week-long diving expeditions. The vessel featured specialized SWATH (small-waterplane-area-twin-hull) technology designed to provide enhanced stability during ocean voyages.

• The vessel’s diving operations ceased following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster, after which it remained out of service until being donated to the county’s artificial reef program.

According to Okaloosa County Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg, the artificial reef deployment enhances the county’s reputation as a premier fishing and diving destination in Florida. The unique catamaran design of the vessel is expected to provide habitat for marine life while offering accessible diving opportunities.

The reef joins Okaloosa County’s expanding artificial reef program, which aims to support the local marine ecosystem and boost the area’s recreational fishing and diving industries.

A second vessel from the donation, the 80-foot NEKTON PILOT, remains scheduled for future deployment as part of the same artificial reef initiative.