New York Ranked Second in Charted Shipwrecks

Data analysis reveals 1,510 shipwrecks off the New York coastline, leaving the state second only to Florida.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Natural Disasters

New York Ranked Second in Charted Shipwrecks

Live Poll

Should local authorities prioritize preserving historical shipwrecks over removing them as navigation hazards?

A new analysis by BoatBooker identified 1,510 charted shipwrecks off the New York coastline, with 72% currently classified as navigation hazards. The state now ranks second nationally in total wrecks, trailing only Florida.

Why it matters

The concentration of shipwrecks poses ongoing risks to modern maritime navigation, as a majority of these sites remain categorized as potential hazards to vessels. Understanding these historical locations is essential for coastal safety and environmental management.

New York hosts 1,510 charted shipwrecks across its coastal waters, with Suffolk County alone containing 347 of these sites. Approximately 72% of all charted wrecks in the state remain officially classified as navigation hazards.

The players

BoatBooker

This organization specializes in analyzing nautical and maritime data to map underwater shipwrecks and coastal geography.

NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the federal agency responsible for mapping the oceans and managing nautical charts.

USS San Diego

This vessel is a significant historical shipwreck site located off the coast of Fire Island.

The details

BoatBooker compiled the data by analyzing NOAA nautical charts across 23 coastal states, removing duplicates and assigning wrecks to the nearest county. Among these sites is the 500-foot USS San Diego, which sank in 110 feet of water off Fire Island, resulting in the loss of six sailors.

July 19, 1918: The USS San Diego sank off Fire Island after taking 28 minutes to submerge.
2018: Navy researchers confirmed that the USS San Diego sank due to striking a mine.
Present: New York holds the second-highest number of charted shipwrecks nationally.

Seasonal Patterns

The identification of 1,510 shipwrecks mirrors findings from the 2018 Navy research on the USS San Diego, which established a protocol for analyzing submerged hazards. This current mapping project updates the broader understanding of how historical maritime incidents continue to shape coastal navigation safety.

Vessel operators navigating off the New York coastline should consult updated nautical charts to identify the locations of marked shipwrecks. Caution is advised in areas with high wreck concentrations to avoid potential underwater hazards to navigation.

The takeaway

Recognizing the density of underwater obstacles is a critical component of maritime planning for coastal residents and professionals. Keeping up-to-date with nautical mapping data ensures that historic shipwrecks remain historical artifacts rather than active safety threats.