AR-368 - 241 barge LC-16 - North Carolina

The AR-368, also known as the 241 barge or LC-16, is one of those North Carolina wrecks we just keep coming back to. We love it because it’s not some grand warship, but a working vessel that met its end, and that character still shines through. As you descend, the shape emerges from the green-blue, often with schools of baitfish shimmering around the superstructure, darting in and out of the holds. This barge offers some excellent penetration for appropriately trained divers, with open hatches leading into dark, silty interiors that always feel a bit like exploring an abandoned building. Look closely in the shadowed corners for oyster toadfish or the occasional sleepy nurse shark tucked away. The exterior is thoroughly encrusted with mussels and barnacles, providing homes for blennies and small crabs, and we often see spiny lobsters peeking out from under plates of steel. It’s a site that rewards slower diving, letting you really soak in the atmosphere of a working boat now repurposed as a thriving artificial reef.

Location
North Carolina, United States, North America
Coordinates
34.159718, -77.431950
Type
wreck

Wreck History - AR-368 - 241 barge LC-16

Year Sunk
1988
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
scuttled

The LC-16 is a 241-foot deck barge that serves as a major habitat structure on the AR-368 artificial reef. Sunk in 1988, this simple, utilitarian vessel has transformed into a bustling underwater metropolis. Sitting at a depth of around 120 feet, the barge's large, flat deck and open interior spaces create a perfect substrate for coral and sponge growth and provide ample shelter for a vast array of fish. Divers will find the wreck easy to navigate due to its straightforward shape. It's an excellent place to encounter large schools of baitfish, which in turn attract predators like amberjack and barracuda. The barge is a prime example of how even the most basic structures can become vibrant and critical marine habitats, offering a fantastic dive that is rich with life.

Marine Protected Area: Lea Island

Nearby Dive Sites in North Carolina

Nearest Dive Centres to AR-368 - 241 barge LC-16

Marine Life in North Carolina

Home to 42 recorded species including 38 reef fish, 2 clams & mussels, 2 other.

Notable Species