Alabama Sinks Former Casino Ship to Create Artificial Reef

The Argosy VI riverboat, formerly a casino, was sunk off the coast of Perdido Pass, Alabama, to create an artificial reef. The 408-foot, four-story vessel was towed out to sea from Bayou La Batre and sunk 122 feet underwater. The Argosy VI was part of a fleet of riverboat casinos operated by Argosy Gaming from the early 1990s. The Argosy VI could hold up to 4,407 passengers and crew members and housed over 1,700 slot machines.

After retiring in 2009, Penn National Gaming acquired Argosy Gaming and replaced the Argosy VI with a larger and more modern boat. Then, an Alabama developer purchased the ship for repurposing. Once the world’s largest riverboat casino, the state of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources acquired the vessel. While workers prepared the boat for sinking, the state docked it for months. While it was docked, staff removed hazardous materials from the vessel. Then, they strategically cut pathways for marine life and seawater to flow through the ship.

The Argosy VI was acquired by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for the artificial reef project. The Argosy VI was sunk using $2.5 million in Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) funds. The new reef will be located near two popular diving destinations and could also help bring in more fish for fishing.