On July 14, a 180-foot flat barge was deployed at the Little Egg Reef in conjunction with the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association’s Junior Mate Reef Project along with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Sportfishing Fund.

John Lewis, association secretary, said the retired vessel will help create an additional marine habitat. He said artificial reefs are composed mostly of old boats, obsolete military vehicles, concrete construction debris and railroad cars.