Radio News and PSAs

Posted Nov. 1, 2007 (Through Dec. 1, 2007)

A New Artificial Reef in the Gulf of Mexico

Sound Bites — What can you do with a historically significant, obsolete, steel-hulled ship that is 473 feet long, weighs about 7,000 tons and has seen its last days of sailing the high seas? If it is the USTS Texas Clipper, you convert it into an artificial reef for the enhancement of marine life and increased diving and fishing opportunities. Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) will add the USTS Texas Clipper to the Ships-to-Reefs program, reefing the ship 17 nautical miles off Port Isabel / South Padre Island. Dale Shively coordinates the Artificial Reef program for TPWD.

Suggested Script: It’s taken the better part of ten years to work through administrative issues and develop a good clean up plan for the USTS Texas Clipper, and the hard work is about to pay off. The vessel will be the latest addition to the Texas Artificial Reef Program (TARP). Dale Shively coordinates the Artificial Reef program for TPWD.
Outcue: "... opportunity to get it out there." Audio File 0:14 (MP3 213.8 KB)
Suggested Script: Shively says that once TPWD received the vessel in November 2006, Resolve Marine Services towed it to Brownsville, where ESCO Marine Shipyard completed the extensive remediation process. Shively explains what will take place after Resolve tows the USTS Texas Clipper to the reefing site.
Outcue: "... on the outside of the ship." Audio File 0:16 (MP3 244.8 KB)
Suggested Script: The reef site is17 nautical miles off Port Isabel/South Padre Island, and is ideal because of its accessibility, says Shively.
Outcue: "... we decided to put it down in the South Padres Island area." Audio File 0:29 (MP3 449.3 KB)
Suggested Script: TPWD Artificial Reef program coordinator, Dale Shively, says only one thing can delay plans to reef the USTS Texas Clipper.
Outcue: "... would just delay us." Audio File 0:06 (MP3 95.4 KB)
Suggested Script: Once sunk, the ship will have a new home on the gulf floor, under fifty feet of water.
Outcue: "... have some intensive growth on there." Audio File 0:21 (MP3 328.1 KB)
Suggested Script: The public may attend the sinking operation.
Outcue: "... while the operation is going on." Audio File 0:08 (MP3 131.7 KB)
Suggested Script: Shively says sinking the ship is not the end of this ten-year odyssey.
Outcue: "... artificial reefs for many years to come." Audio File 0:15 (MP3 228.1 KB)

TPWD News Roundup: Texas Clipper