Nearly 500 tons of concrete poles donated by OUC have been deployed to support an artificial reef project off the Brevard County coast.
Named Bailey’s Reef, the offshore site is located approximately 15.5 nautical miles east of Port Canaveral at the coordinates 28.381433, -80.289983. The installation marks a significant investment in marine habitat restoration and coastal community support.
In December, OUC announced the donation, which featured about 160 concrete poles, each weighing between 5,000 and 8,000 pounds.
On Tuesday, June 30, marine construction crews placed the materials in 85 feet of water within the Brevard County Artificial Reef Site. Since 2015, nine other artificial reefs have been deployed at this location, transforming the area into a thriving hub for marine biodiversity.
The newly deployed concrete poles will create essential habitats that support feeding, sheltering and spawning areas for fish and marine life — all while giving a boost to local fishing, diving and coastal businesses.
OUC partnered with the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Department and Coastal Conservation Association Florida to ensure the project’s environmental benefit and long-term success.
At OUC, we are committed to environmental stewardship, community partnership and sustainable resource management. Check out the video below to see the installation and catch a glimpse of a few marine visitors!
