Sea Systems, A Division of PARDEE, Ltd.

P.O. Box 43
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
(649) 946-5578

email: 75601.604@compuserve.com

In 1995, an estimated 79,000 tourists visited Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), 73,500 of whom stayed on TCI's island of Providenciales, generating an estimated income of more than $12 million in tourism dollars for the islands.

Some of these weary tourists come to the Turks and Caicos seeking the "world's finest beaches." Even more come in search of the islands' "pristine reefs, abundant marine life and excellent visibility." These features make TCI a "worid class diving and snorkeling destination," featured in many dive and snorkel publicatiions

The islands are arrayed around the edges of two large limestone plateaus which comprise 6,964 kilometers of island habitat, 93% of this is underwater bank habitat. It is no wonder so many flock to experience its stunning reef systems and beauty.

Coral reefs are often referred to as the "rain forests of the oceans" because they sustain nearly 25% of all marine species and represent some of the most magnificent living systems in the world Coral reefs also support vibrant tourism economies, protect beaches and shorelines from erosion, act as nurseries for growing fish and provide a critical sources of food and income for millions of people. How approprate that 1997 was celebrated as the "Year of the Reef," drawing loog-overdue recognition to these vital habitats.

So Much Reef With Minimal Access

The Turks and Caicos are graced with a tourism economy which relies on its coral reefs as a central attraction for visitors. Upon arriving at the hotel and tourism accomidations, tourists face a dilemma how to access these watery gardens. The truth ofthe matter is there are few or none with close proximity to hotel accommodations. Most tourists will find that they must again pack and pay for a remote trip in pursuit of these remarkable reefs.

Sea Systems is asking the question, instead of trucking tourist to a remote reef location, why not bring the reef system to tourist?

Reef Discovery Sites

Coral reefs are known to take hundreds of years to form, as a result these natural systems cannot rebuild themselves fast enough to meet human demands. Long lasting, natural looking artificial reefs are useful tools for restoring our existing ecosystems and providing alternate reef sites which in turn reduce the diver load on the natural reefs.

By providing a jump-start on the structural building process, properly constructed and located artificial reef units will quickly become natural looking Reef Discovery Sites. Artificial reef structures provide many benefits, as they:

In an effort to promote the importance and use of artificial reefs to the resort industry, Sea Systems' principals are prepared to work with individual clients to minimize their capitol outlay for the development and establishment of Reef Discovery Sites. Four phases are suggested for the establishment of those sites, including:

1) Project assessment surveys, conceptual development and government permitting issues;

2) Fabrication and deployment;

3) Post-project assessment surveys; and

4) Long-term monitoring.

Reef Balls TM

Fiberglass Mold

The Reef Ball Development Group has devised a patented fiberglass mold system for the construction of artificial reefs (as seen in foreground of the photo at the top of this page). Reef Balls TM are hollow, dome-shaped structures designed to imitate the natural reef structures (as seen in the background of the same photo). The units are marine friendly concrete combined with additives used to create a super strong, abrasion resistant concrete with a pH similar to ocean water. Properly constructed and deployed, Reef Balls_ have an expected life of 500 years or more. They are engineered for underwater stability and minimal impact to surrounding areas.

Reef Ball TM Unit

Each Reef Ball has its own unique hole sizing and placement, with surface textures that enhance settlement of marine life. Once deployed, Reef Discovery Sites will begin to come to life through various natural processes. Almost immediately, fish and other marine creatures will migrate into this new habitat, searching for safe havens. The unique Reef Ball TM design provides just that. Primary growth, consisting of a myriad of marine algae will flourish within the first few months, nurtured by the inputs and outputs of the more mobile species.

Snorkel Trails

Artificial reef snorkel trails at the Reef Discovery Sites will include a series of Reef Ball TM arrays situated within the 100 meter non-navigation zone just off the resort's beach. Each array will contain Reef Ball TM units ranging in size from the 'Lo-Pro' unit (1.5'x 2.5') to the 'Pallet Ball' unit (3'x 4'). An individual array will consist of anywhere from 2-5 Reef Ball units of varying size. Each site along the trail will have an educational theme denoted through an underwater sign constructed within the pod of Reef BallsTM. Buoys and/or underwater flags may be used to denote the location of the sites and floating rest stops may desired for novice swimmers.

Sea Systems Principals' & Expertise


Sea Systems, a division of PARDEE, Ltd. is a Turks and Caicos-registered company committedto the Preservation of Aquatic Resources & the Development of Ecological Enterprises.


The principals of Sea Systems have a combined total of more than 50 years of experience working in the marine science field while working with institutional, governmental, nongovernmental organizations, and private sector interests. The range of their experiences includea multitude of marine-orientated projects that span the geographic regions of the world.


Coastal Engineering & Scientific Data Collection


Lee E. Harris, PhD., P.E. is a registered professional civil and coastal engineer and resides as Associate Professor of ocean engineering and oceanography at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida .Dr. Harris has extensive experience in artificial reef and offshore breakwater engineering systems. His hands-on approach to projects has included pre-project surveying and data collection, as well as post-project performance assessment.


Construction & Environmental Monitoring


Kathy Fitzpatrick, P.E. is a registered professional civil and coastal engineer and currently the District Engineer for the Sebastian Inlet Tax District Commission (SITD) in Indialantic, Florida. Ms. Fitzpatrick has a strong background in permitting of coastal construction projects inenvironmentally sensitive areas. At SITD, she is primarily responsible for supervising construction and environmental monitoring projects.


Biological Assessment & Environmental Education


Marsha Pardee Woodring, Msc., works as a biological consultant in the field of marine ecology, aquaculture and environmental management. She is currently the Project Coordinator for several projects administered through the Turks and Caicos National Trust, including the developmentof educational snorkel trails on Providenciales, TCI.

Each member of the Sea Systems team demonstrates experience in the different aspects of developing artificial reef systems, whether it be in design, engineering, construction, deployment, formation of educational information, permitting and or environmental monitoring of projects indiverse demographic regions. Collectively, the Sea Systems team has amassed the essential experience needed to efficiently design and construct artificial reef projects with an integrated
eco-educational dimension anywhere in the world. Their affiliation and ongoing interaction with Reef Ball Development Group on numerous projects as an authorized contractor, assure contemporary proficiency in artificial reef systems and their deployment. A close working relationship with talented artisans specializing in images of the undersea world insures that interpretive elements of educational artificial reef systems are of quality and original artworks.

Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd. Expertise


RBDG of Sarasota, Florida, is an all volunteer group dedicated to saving our oceans ecosystems through the development of new ideas, techniques and devices designed to create aesthetically pleasing, ecologically sound artificial reefs.
The Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd. is currently conducting more than 30 projects worldwide adding Reef Balls to restore the world's oceans at a rate of over 1,000 Reef Balls per month. Project teams (such as the Boy Scouts of America, Department of Natural Resource Protection, Atlantis Submarine, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, high schools, diving and fishing clubs, National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), marine institutes, universities and many others) have built reefs in Cancun, Mexico, Islamorada, The Florida Keys, Key Biscayne National Park, Fort Landerdale, Florida, Sarasota, Florida, Savannah, Georgia, St.Catherine Island, Georgia, Hilton Head Island South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Sussex, England, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and hundreds of other locations. RBDG has also built test and research reefs throughout the world. Additional, Reef Balls are being combined in sea wall, dock, breakwater, and recreational pier projects. Other applications include uses in bays, canals and estuaries. Reef Balls represent the world's most advanced artificial reef technology. Studies continue by universities to develop new applications for Reef Balls and to improve current uses.

Sea Systems, A Division of PARDEE, Ltd.

P.O. Box 43
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
(649) 946-5578

email: 75601.604@compuserve.com

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Copyright ©1995 & 1996, 1997, 1998 RBDG, Ltd. and Sea Systems All rights reserved. See brochure page footer for information on patents, copyrights, trademarks and service marks referenced, but not indicated, on this page. As a service to CORALations, Inc., the Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd. has donated the programming and space for CORALation's home page on the Internet. The Reef Ball Development Group, Ltd. and CORALations Inc. are separate companies.