South Carolina began developing an artificial reef off Charleston in 2014 by using retired industrial equipment. Initially, the project was supposed to use concrete and steel salvaged from the demolition of Charleston’s Cooper River bridges. When those materials were unavailable, organisers arranged alternatives, including shipping containers, radio towers and other discarded infrastructure, with help from Stevens Towing and Metal Trades. According to the South Carolina Memorial Reef Fund, the initial installations included two 270-foot barges loaded with a large crane, a truck chassis, shipping containers and radio towers.
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