A Lesson in Failure: Osborne Reef

Aquaviews ^ | 9-17-12 | Creedence Gerlach

[lacrew]

Osborne Reef is an artificial reef off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida constructed of concrete jacks in a 50 feet (15 m) diameter circle.[1][2]

In the 1970s, the reef was the subject of an ambitious expansion project utilizing old and discarded tires. The project ultimately failed, and the "reef" has come to be considered an environmental disaster[3][4]—ultimately doing more harm than good in the coastal Florida waters.

[lacrew]

Not a new story, but on Earth Day, I think its important to reflect on the past destruction of environmentalists. They just knew a tire reef would be a good idea...because...well they always know best.

So far it has

1) Failed as a reef

2) Damaged the natural reef nearby

3) Cost millions to clean up

[BenLurkin]

Looks like a pretty place to for recreational diving. Very scenic.

[Capt. Tom]

Another example of: “Today’s solution is tomorrow’s problem.” -Tom

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

I can just see Madelaine Kahn standing on top of this reef, singing, “I’m So Tired.” >(hattip to “Blazing Saddles”)

[Doomonyou]

banded together with steel clips and nylon rope

Guaranteed to last six weeks!

I wonder whar genius came up with that plan.

[sl-17b]

I was a member of the military that dove on the reef a couple of years ago. We spent almost a month each summer collecting the tires. We did it by having guys on the bottom string them on a long cable like cheerios. We could fit 75-100 tires per cable. The cable was sent to the surface with a lift bag and then we used a crane to pick up the cable and dump them in an open top semi trailer. After that much time we barely putt a dent in the amount of tires. Other problems were the high winds, sea state and lightning storms that seemed to come through every day around 2-3pm.