Learn more about the USS Rankin by visiting their official website, where you'll get the entire story of how it became a reef.

"The Rankin was an Attack Cargo Ship, designed to land weapons and supplies on enemy shores. She was the 103rd of 114 ships eventually constructed for this purpose. Launched near the end of World War II, she was put in mothballs after the war, then recommissioned during the Korean War in 1952, finally being decommissioned in 1971..."

"The crew fishing aboard Sunseeker Too learned Saturday that the day’s last spot is always worth a stop.

While competing among the fleet of 36 boats entered in the fourth annual MCAC Reef Builder Fishing Tournament, the Fort Pierce team of Emil La Viola, son Anthony La Viola, Joe Doran and Larry Benning experienced the same slow fishing that plagued many offshore anglers. Without much more than a medium-sized kingfish in the fishbox, they began their way back to the inlet..."

"MCAC Artificial Reef Fund is a 501(C3) Corp. set up several years ago to enhance the artificial reef program of Martin County. Our first success was the deployment of the Wickstrom reef in 2002. We want to build on that success and would like to continue a network of additional artificial reefs. Working in conjunction with Martin County’s active focus on improving our reef system, we believe that we can create an artificial reef program which will compete with any other county in the state of Florida..."

"Offshore anglers have a chance to be stewards of their environment this weekend by participating in the fourth annual MCAC Reef Fund fishing tournament out of FINZ Waterfront Grill.

Called the Reef Builder, proceeds from tournament entry fees go toward helping the Martin County artificial reef program construct underwater habitat in offshore waters..."

"A fleet of fishing boats, including the Safari I party boat, will set out from St. Lucie Inlet on Saturday carrying anglers to sea. Their quarry will be dolphin, kingfish, wahoo, grouper, snapper and cobia.

Their reward will be threefold: In addition to fillets for the table, and cash prizes for the winners, the anglers also will generate funding for the creation of future underwater fish habitat."

"The 69-foot steel tug boat Big Al was sent to the bottom of the sea early Wednesday afternoon as an estimated 100 spectators aboard 20 boats watched, photographed and took video of what is Martin County’s newest offshore artificial reef structure..."

"There are records dating back to the 1970’s showing materials being deployed for artificial reefs in Martin County’s vast deepwater desert. Permitted areas have been charted since then and named Donaldson, Ernst & Sirotkin in honor of fishing enthusiasts known as “Reeftirees”. Local businesses, civic groups and volunteers were building an underwater metropolis for marine life. Over the years, divers Dr. Lee Harris, Kerry Dillon, Merle Stokes and others performed still and video underwater photography. Their documentation verifies the artificial reef locations and monitors the condition of the reef materials..."

"As chairs of the organizing committee, we welcome you to the 2010 Florida Artificial Reef Summit. With 1,357 miles of coastline, involvement by 34 different counties, and over 2,500 artificial reefs deployed to date, Florida manages one of the most diverse and most active artificial reef programs in the United States. Because artificial reef development in Florida works with, and depends upon, a network of local partners, inter-county coordination and communication is critical to ensure successful implementation of statewide strategic objectives for artificial reef development..."

"Many believe that travel to an exotic location is required to experience a quality dive. While destinations like Australia, Hawaii and the South Pacific do provide for phenomenal diving opportunities, Martin County residents don't have to go too far to get in some great dives. The waters offshore of Martin County contain many excellent dive sites. Whether you're going for lobster, spear fishing or just taking in some of the underwater wonders, this area has it all..."

"Even in this economic downturn, supporters of artificial reef programs on the Treasure Coast have maintained momentum to enhance offshore underwater habitat. The result has translated into a steady flow of concrete and steel bound for the bottom of the sea..."

"Three new reefs, Ballantrae Anglers Reef, Pirate's Cove Reef, and Stuart Corinthian Y.C. (Yacht Club) Reef, have been placed in Martin County, which will serve it far into the future..."

"Get familiarized with the six recently added South County Reefs on the website named Ann Marie, Fogel Capital Management, Jack MacDonald, Lentine, Shirley, and The Heap..."

"The Martin County Anglers Club (MCAC) Artificial Reef Fund was created several years ago to enhance Martin County, Florida’s artificial reef program. In order to secure the funding needed to meet their goals, the MCAC Reef Fund launched its annual reef fishing tournament last summer. ACY and BAT were honored to be Gold Sponsors of the event..."