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EL REY - KELP CUTTER

After 35 years of service as kelp harvester for Kelco, this 100’ by 32’ vessel was donated to San Diego’s newly developed artificial reefs program. Once she was made safe for divers she was sunk as an artificial reef in April of 1987.

After nearly three decades on the ocean floor, her wooden hull and parts of her superstructure have collapsed but she has gained a large population of strawberry anemones along with metridiums, gorgonians, sea star, nudibranchs, and of course fish populations.

El Rey Max Depth: ~85'​

Photography by AshUnderwater.

 

Ashley (a beloved former crew member) writes much more about the history of the El Rey, as well a lot of photos, click here to visit her site AshleyUnderwater.com.

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