Prudence ferry begins volunteer cleanup ahead of planned reef sinking

Dozens of volunteers cleaned and de-cluttered the decommissioned Prudence ferry in Long Island City as a first step toward preparing it for sinking at the 16‑Fathom artificial reef; organizers plan additional cleaning trips before a hoped-for sinking this summer.

Dozens of volunteers recently cleaned and de-cluttered the decommissioned Prudence ferry in Long Island City as the first step toward transforming it into an artificial reef. The vessel has been moored in Anable Basin for more than a decade after an earlier plan to turn it into a floating beer garden stalled. Plaxall purchased the ferry in 2012, and local diver Harris Moore proposed the reef idea and teamed up with Bill Cadden of the Long Island Artificial Reef Society. Organizers say the ferry will be prepared for eventual sinking as part of the 16‑Fathom artificial reef southwest of the Fire Island Inlet. Known details: - Volunteers removed old wiring, swept floors, stripped chipping paint and tossed dozens of decaying life jackets during an initial cleanup day. - The ferry partially flooded this winter when it deteriorated, but the engine room was pumped out and the vessel was refloated. - Organizers identify the 16‑Fathom site as roughly 13 nautical miles southwest of the Fire Island Inlet and note it has been used to host artificial reef material in recent years. - The MTA has previously placed retired train cars into the Atlantic since 2001 to create hard structure for marine life. - Additional volunteer cleaning trips are planned over the next several weeks to remove debris and loose materials. - The group hopes to sink the Prudence at the 16‑Fathom reef this summer, subject to completion of preparations and any required approvals. Summary: The cleanup work is intended to remove loose materials so the Prudence can serve as hard structure for mussels, corals and fish that attach to and shelter around reefs. Organizers plan more volunteer sessions in the coming weeks and aim for a summer sinking at the 16‑Fathom site, with final timing dependent on preparation and approvals.