Summary of Trips

Two dive trips were made to the Horn Island Barges (FH-1) during the fiscal month of April. One to the Metal Building on April 16 and the other to Module 63 and the Rubble Barge "E" on May 6. The purpose was to obtain videos and make observations of these sites to determine their effectiveness as fish havens.

The Metal Building

The Metal Building is a relatively small piece of material being about 25'L X 20'W X 11' High. It was sunk east of Rubble Site 2 along with the Concrete Modules on November 18, 1989. It landed upside down with one corner on top of a concrete column. This means that some of Rubble Site 2 is scattered to the East. It is located at LORAN Coordinates 12407.9, 47036.5 (.4), and 29575.9. There are several windows and doors on the building, and it is open to the water on top and bottom. It landed upside down and appears to be forming an excellent habitat.

A large school of Sheepshead greeted the decent upon the building with many Red Snapper seen on the bottom (both juveniles and adults). An abundance of juveniles were swimming in and out from under the building and through the windows. Most of the major reef fish sighted are summarized below in Table One.

Fish Sightings on the Metal Building

April 16, 1990

Fish Type Size/Weight Count

Spades............... 9-10"......50-75

Sheepshead........... 1-3 lbs...250-300

Trigger Fish......... 6-14"......40-50

Red Snapper.......... 1-3 lbs....75-100

Red Snapper.......... 5-8 lbs.... 2

Grouper.............. 1-3 lbs.... 3

Table One

The East Side of the building is 2-3 feet higher due to resting on top of a concrete column. Some corner height measurements were taken for future reference of deterioration. The corner where the foot grating is located measured 11'-6" off of bottom. The grate itself is 2'-6" off bottom. Going counter-clockwise from this location the height measurements are 9'-11" (8'-1" off the concrete column), 7'-9", and 7'-8".

The many openings through and around this structure really seems to enhance it. The fact that some scattered rubble exists around it probably contributes as well.

Module 63

This 30'L X 13'W X 9'High concrete box was sunk the same day as the Metal Building in FH-1 (Horn Island Barges) but is located between Rubble Site 1 and Rubble Site 2 at LORAN coordinates 12405.5, 47036.5, 29573.3. (Two tenths East of the Spotting Coordinates).

There were not a significant number of fish present. In particular small juveniles and bait fish were absent. Perhaps this is due to it being mostly closed except for one open end and a standard size doorway at the other. There are few nooks and crannies for the smaller animals to seek protection, however, one small arrow crab was observed. The fish sightings are summarized below in Table Two.

Fish Sightings on Module 63

May 6, 1990

Fish Type Size/Weight Count

Spades............... 9-10"......30-50

Trigger Fish......... 8"...... 1

Red Snapper.......... 1-2 lbs.... 5-8

Grouper.............. 1-2 lbs.... 1

Table Two

The Rubble Barge "E"

This 120' X 30' deck barge was sunk during July of 1988. Its details are contained in the March 1989 report and in the 1989 year end report. This dive was made to bait the water with a bonito and video the attracted fish. This reef showed a substantial population of Red Snapper, Sheepshead, and Trigger fish. Four tagged snapper and one tagged Trigger fish were seen. The sightings are summarized below in Table Three.

Fish Sightings - Rubble Barge "E"

May 6, 1990

Fish Type Size/Weight Count

Spades............... 9-10"......50-75

Sheepshead........... 1-3 lbs...150-200

Trigger Fish......... 6-14"......75-100

Red Snapper.......... 1-3 lbs...100-125

Red Snapper.......... 4-6 lbs....15-20

Mangrove Snapper..... 1-3 lbs.... 6-10

Grouper.............. 1-3 lbs... 5-8

Grouper.............. 4-6 lbs.... 2

Table Three