Blake Charron Memorial Reef & Artificial Reef Projects

Our Foundation is pleased to have worked with St. Lucie County on this project. In September, 2021, the county deployed the Tug Singleton, a 120 foot-long decommissioned tug boat that will serve to establish deep water Oculina corals off of St. Lucie County, Florida, in an effort to rejuvenate once-thriving Oculina banks that were decimated by the commercial shrimping industry. In addition to serving as vital fish mating, spawning ground and habitat for hundreds of native species, the Tug, which will become the Blake Charron Memorial Reef, will serve as a recreational dive and fishing spot, giving to others local access to some of Blake’s favorite recreational activities.

The Blake Charron Foundation will remain involved in this project and others like it that will serve to protect, restore and enhance the coral reef habitat off of Florida’s East Coast.

Research and evaluation continues with county officials and top marine scientists to identify additional deployments where the Blake Charron Foundation’s support can offer the most impact towards the objective of coral reef restoration.

Ed Killer, in the Treasure Coast Palm newspaper, wrote, "The foundation helped pay some of the costs of the acquisition, preparation and sinking. The tug was acquired from a Brevard County boatyard earlier this year, Oppenborn said."

"Funding also came from St. Lucie County and and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission grant. The grant comes from the federal Sportfish Restoration Foundation, funded by purchases of fishing equipment and motorboat fuels, and the Florida Marine Resource Conservation Trust Fund, funded by purchases of FWC saltwater fishing licenses."

To read the complete Giving Back article from the Treasure Coast Palm newspaper, Click Here