Coffins Patch (Marathon Key)

Coffins Patch (Marathon Key)

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Localisation

Coffins Patch (Marathon Key)
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Characteristics

Diving

Description

Coffins Patch (Marathon Key)
2010-04-01
Update
Joëlle
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Although Coffins Patch is fairly close to shore, it has the  characteristics of an offshore patch reef system. The reef includes rare pillar coral and other coral species unique to the Keys. The Sanctuary Preservation Area (SPA) is approximately 4nm (7km) southeast of Key Colony Beach.

The SPA is rectangular and covers an area of approximately 0.4nm2, or about 147ha. It includes the entire patch reef and some of the rubble  field behind the main reef. Other inshore and offshore patch reefs in the surrounding area remain open.

The area is easily accessible, but no mooring buoys are currently in place. This is a low-use area visited by divers, recreational fishermen, treasure hunters, and souvenir collectors. Some tropical fish  collecting occurs within and around the reef. Little, if any, displacement of users will occur since other patch reefs in the area will remain open for use.

The stake is roughly 400 feet by 75 feet oval shaped patch reef is the best known and most frequented of the Coffins Patch group. It got it's name from a large piece of iron pipe that juts several feet out of the water at an angle from the reef. The pipe is actually one of several that are the remnants of a lighthouse that marked the reef. During the killer hurricane of 1935 the lighthouse was destroyed. This was the same hurricane that ended Henry Flagler's railroad. The reef itself has depths that range from 7 to 25 feet. It is very popular for snorkelers and divers who enjoy shallow reefs, and because of its stake, it is relatively easy to locate.

2012/04/16
Update
JB
Coffins Patch est assez près du rivage, il a les caractéristiques d'un système récifal côtier. Le récif comprend des piliers rares de coraux et d'autres espèces de corail unique aux touches. Le Sanctuaire zone de préservation (SPA) est d'environ 4 NM (7km) au sud de la colonie Key Beach.
Le SPA est rectangulaire et couvre une superficie d'environ 0.4nm2, soit environ 147ha. Il comprend le récifal entier  et une partie des gravats sur le terrain derrière le récif principal. Autres récifs côtiers et hauturiers dans les environs  restent ouverts.
La région est  facilement accessible, mais il n'y pas de bouées d'amarrage actuellement en place. Il  s'agit d'une zone à faible utilisation visité par les plongeurs, les pêcheurs récréatifs, les chasseurs de trésors, et les collectionneurs de souvenirs. On pêche certains poissons tropicaux dans et autour du récif. Le cas échéant, le déplacement des utilisateurs se fera depuis d'autres récifs de la région qui sont ouverts à l'utilisation.

L'enjeu est un récif ovale d'environ 120 m par 22,5 m, c'est le plus connu et le plus fréquenté du groupe Coffins Patch. Il a obtenu son nom d'un grand morceau de tuyau de fer qui s'avance de plusieurs mètres  hors de l'eau à un angle du récif. Le tuyau est en fait un des nombreux vestiges d'un phare qui a marqué le récif. Pendant l'ouragan  meurtrier de 1935, le phare a été détruit. Ce fut le même ouragan qui s'est terminé au de chemin de fer Henry Flagler. Le récif lui-même a des  profondeurs qui varient de 2,1 à 7,5 m. Il est très populaire pour les  plongeurs qui apprécient les récifs peu profonds, et il est relativement facile à localiser.

2012/04/16
Update
JB
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