Penrods Tetrahedrons

Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has been studying the creation of artificial reefs made from concrete Tetrahedrons as artificial reef material in order to see if the construction of near-shore rubble type reefs will not only attract varied and numerous marine-life to the area, but will also prevent the erosion of the sand beach, thus preventing expensive beach renourishment programs in the future.

The construction of the reef off Miami Beach, near Penrod's, commenced in the summer of 1996 and is still on-going. The Florida Institute of Technology, Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Melbourne, Florida has found that the all-concrete tetrahedrons tested had extremely high weight densities or 145 pounds per cubic foot. The result of this study, thus far, shows that they are quite suitable for use in rubble mound breakwaters and artificial reefs.

During a recent to dive to the area, we found the attachment and growth of reef building marine organisms was quite impressive. Numerous lobsters have taken up residence, as well as abundant sponge and gorgonian growth. We experienced a vast amount of Tarpon circling in the area, as well. This structure is not only interesting, it is close to shore and functional.