The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a $138,000 contract with Coleen Marine, Inc. on Tuesday for the clean-up, preparation, towing, and deployment of two donated vessels as artificial reefs. 

• The project aims to enhance the county’s status as a premier fishing and diving destination in Florida.

According to Okaloosa County Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg, the county was approached in early April 2024 with the donation of two former scuba dive liveaboards, measuring 80ft and 75ft. The vessels, known as NEKTON PILOT and NEKTON RORQUAL, were built in 1992 and 2001 respectively.

“Partnerships like this cannot be recognized enough,” explained Fogg. “This is what makes our destination so special and is continuing to make waves in the fishing and diving community.”

John Dixon, the designer and builder of the vessels, provided extensive insight into their history and significance. 

“The NEKTON PILOT was built in Palatka, Florida, and delivered in 1992. The NEKTON RORQUAL was built in Port St. Joe, Florida, in 2001,” Dixon said. “The vessels had 16 cabins with private baths and showers able to accommodate 32 passengers with 12 crew.”

• He explained that the vessels were purpose-built for week-long scuba diving cruises and featured a unique “no sea-sick” technology called SWATH (small-waterplane-area-twin-hull) for enhanced stability.

The vessels operated successfully until April 2010, when the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster forced the cessation of scuba cruises. Dixon 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.”

Dixon explained the process that led to the donation: “Being based in Port St. Joe, Florida, we first communicated with Bob and Carol Cox of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association (MBARA) who, because of the size and scale of the Nekton vessels, connected us to Alex Fogg and the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program.”

The vessels were mostly gutted, cleaned, and in the process of being scrapped when the option for reefing became available. After a site visit and discussions with Dixon, the county decided to receive the vessels and issue an invitation to bid for the remaining tasks. 

The Invitation to Bid, which opened on April 29, 2024, received three responses. Coleen Marine, Inc. was selected after a review by the Purchasing and the Tourist and Development Department.

Dixon believes these vessels are uniquely suited for artificial reefs. “Three unique attributes make this a wonderful artificial reef installation,” he 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.”

• The artificial reef project is expected to significantly positively impact the local marine ecosystem. According to Dixon, “The structures of these two vessels will provide homes and habitat to a huge population of fish and marine organisms.”

Fogg emphasized that artificial reef deployments like this contribute to the improvement of Destin-Fort Walton Beach’s reputation as a top fishing and diving destination in Florida. 

“Seeing these Nekton vessels become artificial reefs really is fitting,” added Fogg. “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 project represents a new chapter for the NEKTON vessels, transforming them from scuba liveaboards to vital components of Okaloosa County’s marine habitat enhancement efforts. 

“Every single diver who ever went out on one of these Nekton vessels experienced special moments with fish and turtles and dolphins and coral reefs under the sea,” Dixon reminisced. “These divers are Americans who understand how precious our oceans are and appreciate protection efforts like the Okaloosa County artificial reef program.”