The Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program expanded its underwater attractions last week with the addition of a 360-foot vessel to the Gulf of Mexico, offering new opportunities for fishing and diving enthusiasts.
- The MV MONARCH COUNTESS, a former roll-on roll-off vessel, now rests upright in 180 feet of water off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The ship, which has 100 feet of relief, was sunk as part of a U.S. Air Force demonstration of a new maritime threat neutralization capability.
Col. Matthew Caspers, Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate Director, highlighted the significance of the demonstration. “The development of this technology helps deliver technological superiority to ensure the United States can defend our interests, maintain freedom of action, and seize the initiative over large maritime areas,” Caspers said.
The vessel’s deployment as an artificial reef was originally approved in the county’s 5-Year Artificial Reef Plan in 2023. Prior to its sinking last week, local anglers reported sighting the ship offshore for about two weeks.
This latest addition to the artificial reef program continues a tradition of repurposing vessels for marine habitat enhancement in the area and marks another deployment involving the military. In April 2022, a similar operation saw the destruction of an old cargo ship as part of the QUICKSINK Joint Capability Technology Demonstration.
![](https://www.getthecoast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/monarch-reef-1024x680.jpg)
The Air Force Research Laboratory, in partnership with the U.S. Navy, has been developing the QUICKSINK program to explore new methods of neutralizing maritime threats using air-launched weapons. The recent demonstration, which involved a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, took place in July as part of the second RIMPAC SINKEX.
- “QUICKSINK is an answer to an urgent need to neutralize maritime threats to freedom around the world,” Caspers explained. “This program is unique in that it can provide capabilities to modify existing and future DoD weapons systems, giving combatant commanders and our national leaders new ways to defend against maritime threats.”
The MV MONARCH COUNTESS is expected to become a popular spot for fishing and diving, contributing to the area’s marine ecosystem and tourism industry. Coordinates for the new artificial reef are available on the Destin-Fort Walton Beach website.
11 Responses
There is one sure fire way to defend America ,issue ALL legal Americans A FIREARM IF THEIR choice, provide proper training for its use, and a thousand rounds of ammo -then see if anyone ants to invade us.
Right, as if the gun violence problem in this country isn’t bad enough, issue free guns to everyone so that when they get mad, or radicalized, or fall on hard times, or have a mental crisis, they can just take that thousand rounds and start shooting up churches or shopping malls.
My entire family have had guns for 40 years and nobody has got shot yet. The person does the shooting not the weapon. If a person wishes to do you harm, they will accomplish that with whatever weapon is available at the time. Could be a hammer could be a brick, a knife, almost anything can become a weapon.
E
1000%
The Swiss do it and have the lowest homicide rate in Europe, if not the world: ~50 homicides annually from all causes. Second, it’s a constitutional right and Congress is REQUIRED to “provide for arming the Militia”; which to the Framers was ALL the people. [US CONST, ART 1. SEC. 8 & Federalist #46.] So Congress SHOULD be issuing rifles, not banning them.
It wouldn’t hurt to include some outdoor survival courses also some training in marksmanship. I would add pistol training as long arms are not always appropriate or convenient.
So sad, seems Franklin County and up and down the coast get rubble in shallow water i.e., nothing in 80 feet plus feet deep and deeper.
Hilarious… a article about a artificial reef turns into comments about weapons… stay classy Florida
I agree with Darren, good for our local economy for fishing and diving. For you gun commenters I say get a life..
My brother was a police officer for 22 years never fired a shot at anyone.. We grew up with guns hunting in rural Alabama. He taught his gf to hunt and 3 yrs later she shot him to death. My only brother…
It’s not the guns, its the crazies.
I am so sorry for this horrific event + traumatic loss of your only brother I was the ‘baby’ sister to two older brothers, both taken by cancer, the last one in 2003. By age 43 all but one Aunt & her hubby were gone. Hard to live without family ️