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#05-254 November 28, 2005

Murrells Inlet Artificial Reef Renamed For Conservationist

The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, along with the S.C. Carolina Department of Natural Resources, hosted a commemorative ceremony Nov. 17 in Murrells Inlet to establish the Bruce T. Rush Ten Mile Reef.

The Bruce T. Rush Ten Mile Reef is listed as PA-10 on the state artificial reef map. More than 40 artificial reefs are currently located in waters along the coast of South Carolina. These artificial reefs are known for their productivity and are popular destinations for many recreational anglers and divers. Check the Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/reefloc.html for a map on artificial reefs in South Carolina waters.

Check the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Marine Resources Division Web site at www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/artreef.html for more information on artificial reefs.

Steel-hulled vessel being deployed to the Bruce T. Rush Ten Mile Reef

South Carolina's artificial reefs are constructed from a wide variety of materials, ranging from various forms of suitable scrap to specifically designed and constructed reef habitat structures. Steel-hulled vessels, like the one being deployed to the Bruce T. Rush Ten Mile Reef, are the most commonly used material in reef construction, with more than 100 having been sunk off the coast of South Carolina since 1969. Other materials recycled on artificial reefs include steel and concrete bridges, New York City subway cars, concrete culvert pipe, steel dry dock work platforms and United States Army tanks and armored personnel carriers.

The Marine Artificial Reef program of the DNR Marine Resources Division would not be possible without funds generated by the Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Program, as well as private donations such as those donated to build the Bruce T. Rush Ten Mile Reef off the coast of Murrells Inlet.

Rush, a native of Camden, previously served on the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund Board of Directors with great distinction and was a lifelong champion of natural resources conservation until his death in 2003. The artificial reef, located ten miles off the coast of Murrells Inlet in the Atlantic Ocean, was renamed to honor Rush in a small ceremony in which friends and family recollected his passion for life and dedication to the conservation of marine and natural resources.

Rush, who was affiliated with Leroy Springs & Co. Inc. at Springs Park in Fort Mill, was also a member of the Catawba River Task Force, Nation Ford Land Trust, Fort Mill Chamber of Commerce, National Recreation and Park Association, S.C. Recreation and Park Association and the American Institute of Park Executives. He was very active in his community and was associated with the Friends of the Anne Springs Close Greenway, Good Folks and the Boys and Girls Clubs.

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