Are there any wrecks off the California coast?

Interesting question.

I used to dive a honey hole sunken barge for bugs on the hose somewhere in Laguna;) (Now MPLA).
We have the wreck of the Bishop on Cortez Bank that is free divable for bugs and Calico, lots of pointy rusted rebar makes it fun in the heavy surge, medical help is 102 miles to the mainland except for a medi vac from San Clemente Island ( a Navy no landing island).:nono:
The Dominater in Palo Verdes for bugs and Calico bass and three off shore oil rigs for newbies and bubble butts to shoot sheephead and teenage Yellow Tail.
Than there is the wreck of the Valiant which is a no take wreck at Avalon on Catalina.

All our other wrecks are just spots for gold doubloons we use for gas money.;)

Cheers, Don

Wreck Alley off of San Diego, but its around 100'. Quite a few in Long Beach Harbor, but the vis sucks and it's 70+ deep and alot of traffic. Most wrecks are pretty old and are mainly rusted away.
WrecksName

As far as The So Cal Area, the water comes up very fast. They are either way too deep or so shallow that they get salvaged, or are smashed to pices in weeks or months. There are a few wrecks, but anyone that knows anything about theM is keeping a very tight lip.

I think this is a case where diving depth plays a role. Not me! But many east coast divers consider 70 to be a normal hunting range I like 35 personally hahaha

Quote from LunkerBuster

I think this is a case where diving depth plays a role. Not me! But many east coast divers consider 70 to be a normal hunting range I like 35 personally hahaha

70ft in warm blue water with a spotter is one thing. 70ft in 10 foot vis and icy thermoclines gets old real quick...buddy goes down and you have no idea which way he went. Wreck alley in San Diego is primarily a recreational scuba destination, there's better structure elsewhere.

Quote from bluesquids

70ft in warm blue water with a spotter is one thing. 70ft in 10 foot vis and icy thermoclines gets old real quick...buddy goes down and you have no idea which way he went. Wreck alley in San Diego is primarily a recreational scuba destination, there's better structure elsewhere.

Amen Brother.

Don

For sure. I didn't want it to sound like I was saying we are better divers. Not at all. I am always amazed at the shit you guys have to deal with to dive.

In So Cal we rarely have weather enough to take down boats. Hurricanes are 1000 miles south and only a few Arctic lows make it this far south.

Quote from Dan

And the state doesn't sink stuff to make artificial reefs?

Hahaha, you are a funny guy!! While it would make total sense to place artificial reefs off of the California coast, I don't see it happening on a regular basis due to the environmental concerns of those who would rather us not spear in the first place.

Quote from Kuppens

Hahaha, you are a funny guy!! While it would make total sense to place artificial reefs off of the California coast, I don't see it happening on a regular basis due to the environmental concerns of those who would rather us not spear in the first place.

I think its largely environmental advocates that sink stuff here on the east coast.. even though it prob serves tourism more than it does the environment.

Quote from John Hanson

As far as The So Cal Area, the water comes up very fast. They are either way too deep or so shallow that they get salvaged, or are smashed to pices in weeks or months. There are a few wrecks, but anyone that knows anything about theM is keeping a very tight lip.

Precisely. The wrecks we do have are deep. No new ones due to enviro-nazis. The breakwalls are decent man made structures that produce but most of the time are in very poor vis areas and high traffic. There are a few boxcars off Huntington but have been covered up with sediment and only become exposed in BIG waves.

Quote from Dan

And the state doesn't sink stuff to make artificial reefs?

There are big plans for artificial reefs in the Palos Verdes and SM Bay areas as part of the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program (MSRP). I would recommend anyone interested in being a part of the process read up on the plans. There might be some opportunities to volunteer time or other resources.

Restoration Activities - Montrose/PV Shelf, CA - Southwest Region - DARRP

http://www.darrp.noaa.gov/sout…df/msrp_rp_appendixa1.pdf

Fish Habitat : Montrose Settlements Restoration Program

Focus of ocean cleanup off Peninsula turns to fish habitat - The Daily Breeze

Start a reef ball petition. They have all the info including petitions on their website.

They are proven to be safe and successful. Even enviro's can't beef

Quote from sdeisen

I think its largely environmental advocates that sink stuff here on the east coast.. even though it prob serves tourism more than it does the environment.

I wish the enviros here on the west coast would look at the successful artificial reef projects on the east coast and in the gulf and implement more of those projects here in the Pacific. They obviously feel the need to protect many of the reefs here in the form of MPA's, so why not create more habitat?!?

maybe a dive club should petition a city council to make one...Pick a city that is friendly and approach them with a petition, a proposal and some examples of good reef proects or boat sinkings done over here.

the reef ball projects prevent errosion, are FAD's, and they make oyster bar and mangrove regrowth beds, not really a west coast thing, the wrecks are HUGE tourist draws...people fly in from around the world to dive the tbolt, the oriskany and now the Vandy.

lots of angles to use that dont include better bug and hunting grounds for you

There are many reef ball petitions already gaining ground. Fishreef.org

Should be interesting to see how it plays out,..

Cheers!