A 224-foot vessel Okaloosa County purchased last summer for its artificial reef program will be deployed this fall as the Sposit Reef, with Panama City Beach now sharing the cost and the Coastal Conservation Association covering the tow.
- The Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 16, approved an agreement with the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau to split the $450,000 cost of the MV Henry Alex equally, with each partner contributing $225,000. The county originally approved the single-source purchase in August 2025 through Tri-Native Contractors.
CCA Florida will provide an additional $60,000 to cover towing and deployment. All funding comes from tourism development tax revenue and partner contributions.
The proposed deployment site sits in about 120 feet of water at 30° 05.831’N, -86° 17.749’W, 22 nautical miles from the Destin East Pass and 28 nautical miles from the Panama City Pass. Deployment is expected in the fall of 2026.
The arrangement extends a working relationship between Okaloosa County’s tourism department (Destin-Fort Walton Beach) and the Panama City Beach CVB that previously produced the deployment of the 239-foot Deep STIM III in 2023.
“The marine life that benefits from these artificial reefs does not see borders,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin. “We are pleased to be working again with our neighbors in Panama City Beach on this effort as a showing of how the power of partnerships can create something worthy for our residents, visitors and the environment.”
Erin Graham, Coastal Resources Manager for the Panama City Beach CVB, said the deployment expands habitat while opening new ground for recreation.
- “This project is another example of how strong partnerships can create lasting benefits for our Gulf,” Graham said. “By working alongside Okaloosa County and CCA Florida, we are expanding critical habitat for marine life while creating new opportunities for anglers and divers to experience the incredible resources our waters have to offer.”
The reef takes its name from the late Rebecca Sposit, human resources director at CCA’s national office. CCA Florida has partnered with Okaloosa County on artificial reef deployments, invasive lionfish removal, habitat restoration, redfish release initiatives and the ongoing SS UNITED STATES artificial reef project.
“Rebecca Sposit did so much for marine conservation through her role at CCA, in ways the public could never see,” said Pat Murray, CCA’s national president and CEO. “She was a beloved part of CCA and this reef is a lasting testament to her impact on the organization and the marine environment.”
CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski said the deployment honors a colleague while advancing the group’s conservation mission.
“Rebecca was a valued colleague and dear friend to many throughout the CCA family, and she is missed dearly,” Gorski said. “The Sposit Reef deployment serves as a lasting tribute to Rebecca’s life and legacy while reflecting our ongoing commitment to the conservation and enhancement of Florida’s marine resources and coastal ecosystems. We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our partners on initiatives that strengthen marine biodiversity, expand critical habitat for fish and other marine species, and support economically important local industries, including recreational fishing and diving.”
Okaloosa County has placed 48 large vessels in the Gulf since the 1970s, part of nearly 600 existing artificial reefs in the region. 3D imaging of the county’s large-vessel reefs is available here.
