The 80-foot former scuba diving liveaboard NEKTON PILOT was successfully deployed as an artificial reef on Wednesday, October 15, officially becoming the “Ted Forsgren Nekton Pilot Reef” off the Destin-Fort Walton Beach coast.
- Coastal Conservation Association Florida funded half of the project and named the reef. The reef honors 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 completes a two-vessel project that began in April 2024, when Okaloosa County received the donated vessels from designer and builder John Dixon. The NEKTON PILOT’s sister ship, the 75-foot NEKTON RORQUAL, was deployed in August as an artificial reef.
“The successful deployment of the Ted Forsgren NEKTON PILOT is another example of how collaboration really enhances the impact of these projects” said Okaloosa County Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg. “This is the twenty-first vessel we have deployed since 2020 and in most cases, collaboration with partners such as CCA has made the project possible.”
The preparation and deployment of the two NEKTON vessels was led by long-time artificial reef contractors Coleen Marine Inc. and Morgan Marine Salvage and Recovery. Their experience resulted in the successful deployment of these vessels that will provide essential habitat and create new fishing and diving destinations for locals and visitors to the destination.
Built in Palatka, Florida, and delivered in 1992, the NEKTON PILOT originally served as a scuba diving liveaboard capable of accommodating 32 passengers and 12 crew members in 16 cabins with private baths and showers 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.
Dixon previously described the decision to repurpose the vessels as “bittersweet,” stating, “Sorry to see the vessels not get back into operation after the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe but happy they can find new life helping the ocean environment.”
According to Fogg, the artificial reef deployment bolsters 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.
Dixon believes the vessels are uniquely suited for artificial reefs. “Three unique attributes make this a wonderful artificial reef installation,” he previously stated. “First, the unique properties of the steel lower hulls make them ideal for reef building. Second, the large open upper aluminum superstructures are ideal for visits by scuba divers. Third and finally, the unique history of both ships serving scuba divers on week-long cruises for decades will create a pilgrimage for thousands of past Nekton cruise guests.”
- “Seeing these Nekton vessels become artificial reefs really is fitting,” Fogg added. “From once being the platform that allowed so many divers to be able to explore our oceans to now being the site for these explorations is amazing.”
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners approved a $138,000 contract with Coleen Marine, Inc. in June 2024 for the clean-up, preparation, towing, and deployment of both donated vessels as artificial reefs.
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.
The coordinates are: 30° 04.442’N, 86° 18.486’W
Depth: 130ft
Relief: 40ft
One Response
Why do they keep sinking these boats in water TOO deep for recreational divers? Depth limits will prohibit 90% of the divers from experiencing these unique vessels. So sad. As far as bringing in tourist dollars, well let’s just say there will be some unhappy people when they’re told its a no-go. But there is always the Miss Louise! LoL!