Alabama has the largest artificial reef system; ship containing 1,700 slot machines and 100 military tanks provides shelter to marine life and attracts eco-tourism

A ship that once housed 1,700 slot machines is now resting at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. The former floating casino, Argosy VI, has been given a new purpose in Alabama, where it is expected to attract fish, divers and anglers for years to come. The 408-foot vessel was deliberately sunk off the coast in July 2026 to become an artificial reef. But it is only one part of a much larger project. Alabama has built an extensive underwater network using old ships, military tanks, concrete structures and other materials to create habitats for marine life.

Former floating casino becomes an artificial reef

The Argosy VI once operated as a floating casino on the Ohio River in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. It had four decks, around 75,000 square feet of gaming space and 1,700 slot machines. After years out of service, the vessel was prepared for its new role. Workers removed fuel, harmful substances and other materials that could damage the marine environment. Openings were also cut into its decks to allow divers and marine life to move through the structure.

On July 1, 2026, the vessel was sunk about 23 nautical miles south of Orange Beach, Alabama, in roughly 122 feet of water. According to local broadcaster WALA, the project cost around $2.5 million and was funded through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.

Alabama's artificial reef network includes 100 military tanks

The Argosy VI has joined Alabama's extensive artificial reef system, which covers more than 1,100 square miles of offshore waters. The state describes its programme as the largest artificial reef programme in the United States. The effort began in the 1950s, when fishing groups sought permission to place 250 old car bodies offshore. Over time, the programme expanded to include ships, aircraft, concrete structures and other materials.

In 1974, Alabama obtained five Second World War-era Liberty ships from the US Navy and sank them to create underwater habitats. Two decades later, the state added 100 M-60 military tanks. They were cleaned of oil, hydraulic fluids and other hazardous materials before being placed underwater. The tanks were expected to serve as artificial reefs for at least 50 years, according to the programme's history reported by the Houston Chronicle.

How sunken ships help marine life

Artificial reefs provide hard surfaces in areas where the seabed may otherwise consist largely of sand and mud. Fish can use these structures for shelter, feeding and protection, while smaller organisms can grow on their surfaces. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explains that artificial reefs can provide habitat for corals, fish and other marine creatures. They can also support fishing and diving tourism.

However, sinking an old vessel does not automatically make it environmentally safe. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution notes that the impact of a wreck depends on its materials, location and depth. Proper cleaning and preparation are essential to reduce pollution risks. For Alabama, the former casino is now part of a long-running effort to turn retired structures into underwater habitats—and give them a second life beneath the waves