The Nekton Pilot, an 80-foot former scuba diving liveaboard, has found new life beneath the surface as part of the artificial reef system off Destin and Fort Walton Beach. The vessel, once known to divers across the Caribbean for its catamaran-style design and extended-range expeditions, was deployed offshore on October 15 as the “Ted Forsgren Nekton Pilot Reef,” according to a report from Get The Coast.
The project is part of the Okaloosa County Artificial Reef Program, led by Natural Resources Chief Alex Fogg. Fogg confirmed the deployment on social media, calling it “another successful addition to our growing artificial reef network.” The Nekton Pilot now rests roughly 16 miles offshore in about 130 feet of water, creating new habitat for grouper, snapper, and pelagic species while offering a fresh dive site for experienced Gulf divers.
Okaloosa County’s artificial reef initiative has become one of the most active in Florida, with over 580 public sites now dotting the Gulf of Mexico, according to NAUI Worldwide. The Nekton Pilot follows a series of successful deployments including military craft, barges, and other former working vessels that have been transformed into marine sanctuaries.
The sister ship Nekton Rorqual is also slated for reefing as part of the same program, first reported by Divernet. Together, the two vessels continue the legacy of the Nekton fleet, once a symbol of liveaboard innovation, by serving the diving community in a new and enduring way.
Comments
