Ever wanted to deploy your very own private artificial reef?  If you live in Alabama, all you need is a $25 license and the services of David Walter, The Reefmaker.  Walter has been creating and deploying artificial reefs for personal use (primarily for fishermen) since 1986.  His structures have been widely deployed along the coast of Alabama and in many parts of Florida.  Many of his customers are charter fishing boat captains and local community groups, which buy and deploy specially designed reefs to attract fish and promote fishing enterprises. 

Interested in diving these artificial reefs?  Good luck.  As you might imagine, GPS coordinates are closely guarded secrets.  Clients often invest big money to buy and deploy their private reefs.  But you can get your own reef for less than you might think, usually for under $1,000.

Private reefing is illegal throughout much of the United States.  Public artificial reefs are created directly by State and County departments. Alabama and Florida are two exceptions: They both have designated limited areas where private groups and individuals can deploy their own reefs. However, once the reefs are in the water, they become public property.  But the knowledge of where the reefs are located allows their "owners" to enjoy the reefs exclusively for as long as their locations remain secret.   Walter has extensive procedures in place to make sure your secret is safe.

Interesting side note: This past March, while diving the DEMA Trader off Key Biscayne, I noticed an "odd" triangular structure on the stern of the wreck (pictured above).  When I came across David Walter's site this past week, I immediately recognized the same familiar structure and realized that the object on the DEMA was his handy work.  Dive the DEMA and check it out.

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