Neptune Memorial Reef

The Neptune Memorial Reef ( also known as the Atlantis Memorial Reef or the Atlantis Reef ) is an underwater mausoleum for cremated deceased. It is located 5.2 km off the coast of Key Biscayne in Florida and is considered the largest artificial reef in the world planned.

The reef is located in a water depth of 12 meters and took in 2012 an area of ​​2024 m², a; a planned expansion in a few years on the ocean floor 65,000 sqm or 6.5 hectares is in preparation. The design of the city covers cemetery underwater paths that lead to a central square with gates, terraces and statues.

For the first phase of an intake of 850 burials is estimated using a long-term goal of more than 125,000 burials. Although it is often referred to in news articles as an underwater mausoleum or underwater graveyard, it does not quite meet the criteria for it actually. Some of the cremated remains of concrete are mixed, formed into statues and set as special components (eg starfish ) the reef, along with commemorative plaques to be added. Correctly, it is therefore more of a memorial for cremation.

The Neptune Memorial Reef was opened after a number of difficulties (in particular approval hurdles ) in 2007. After extensive evaluation and approval process of the Memorial Reef by various environmental agencies (EPA, DERM, NOAA, FWC ) and the Army Corps of Engineers has been authorized. One of the structural requirements was that the Memorial Reef in extreme cases must also be able to withstand a storm, which corresponds to the strongest storm of the last 100 years. During the approval process of the Category 5 Hurricane Andrew crossed the area and required a redesign of the reef.

The reef was designed both as a home for sea creatures as well as a " destination for amateur divers " on the seabed. It is located in a special management zone in which sailors and divers are welcome, but no fish or lobster is allowed. Because reef-building corals have now developed at the site, the Neptune Memorial Reef Society can actually be classified as a coral reef.