Hailey

The Hailey Glasrud wreck, located off the coast of Stuart, Florida, is an intriguing artificial reef with a rich history. The vessel, originally built in Hamburg, Germany, in 1966, was launched under the name “City of Rotterdam.” Over the years, it served various roles, including as a general cargo hauler and later as a grain cargo ship. By the end of its useful life, the ship was acquired by the Martin County Artificial Reef Fund (MCAC) in October 2013 to be repurposed as an artificial reef. On April 24, 2014, the Hailey Glasrud was deployed as an artificial reef, sitting upright in 186 feet of water. The deployment was part of MCAC’s efforts to enhance marine habitats and promote diving and fishing tourism in the area. The ship was named after Hailey Glasrud, the granddaughter of a major donor, Ted Glasrud. The sinking process involved flooding the hull through strategically cut openings, ensuring the vessel landed upright on the ocean floor. The Hailey Glasrud now serves as a vibrant underwater habitat, attracting a variety of marine life and providing a unique diving experience for technical divers. The artificial reef not only benefits the local ecosystem by creating new habitats but also boosts the local economy through increased tourism and recreational activities.