Why a retired luxury boat was deliberately sunk off the shore of Fire Island

FIRE ISLAND, New York (WABC) -- A retired boat named 'Big Time' that was built in 1956 was deliberately sunk off the shore of Fire Island.

Her demise is meant to help sustain life as an artificial reef.

'Big Time' was a 55-foot steel luxury cruiser. It joins decommissioned rail cars and parts of the old Tappan Zee Bridge in forming a network of man-made reefs that are home to creatures like black sea bass and lobsters.

The reefs help increase marine biodiversity.

MORE NEWS | 2 pedestrians struck by hit-and-run driver on Sunrise Highway on Long Island

Kristin Thorne reports two pedestrians were injured by a hit-and-run driver on Sunrise Highway in North Lindenhurst.

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