The Cape May-Lewes ferry was deliberately sunk about 30 miles offshore to create an artificial reef. For decades, the Cape May-Lewes ferry has been carrying cars and passengers across the Delaware bay, but the ferry has recently taken its last passenger.

In June 2018, the retired M/V Twin Capes, a former flagship of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry fleet, was intentionally sunk to become part of the Delaware-Jersey-Land Inshore Artificial Reef. After 43 years of service, the vessel was decommissioned because it was too expensive to maintain compared to newer, more efficient ships. By sinking it 26 miles off the coast, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) created a massive habitat for marine life. The ship's unique multi-deck superstructure and 70-foot vertical profile now serve as a sanctuary for fish species like sea bass, tautog, and even sharks, while also providing a world-class destination for recreational divers. This process, known as "reefing," turns a retired industrial asset into a long-term ecological and economic benefit for the region’s biodiversity and tourism industry.