New Eye Candy Reef Going Underwater In Deerfield Beach
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DEERFIELD BEACH (CBSMiami) - Below the surface of the water in South Florida, there's an incredible world many of us don't see. We have some amazing diving, like off Key Largo. And now, there will be another unique dive site for locals and visitors to visit--the Rapa Nui Reef.
Dennis MacDonald is the artist of the reef which will feature 15 figures of Moai. Moai are protectors of the ancient people who lived on Rapa Nui, what is now Easter Island.
"There may be more than 900 of them sculpted over the course of 40 generations," said MacDonald.
CLICK HERE To Watch Ted Scouten's Report
Jim Chiefy Mathie is a diver. He told CBS4's Ted Scouten this artificial reef is different because it's not only a sunken wreck that will attract marine life, but artwork too, so there's plenty of eye candy for divers.
Margaret Blume, who bankrolled the project, aimed to mix art in public places, with education and marine conservation. What was created is a unique artwork featuring the Rapa Nui culture, that's 150 feet long and 50 feet wide that will sit 70 feet below the surface.
"They were a remarkable people and it's a remarkable story, both filled with history and mystery and the wow factor and recognizability," said Blume.
The Rapa Nui Reef will be above water until Sunday. You can see if up close all day Saturday at 2 Georges at the Cove in Deerfield Beach at the Intracoastal and Hillsboro Boulevard. Then on Sunday at 11 AM, it will be taken half-a-mile off-shore and sunk.
