Toppled roller coaster a Sandy tourist attraction?

In this Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 file photograph, the roller coaster from an amusement pier rests in the Atlantic Ocean in Seaside Heights, N.J., after the region was pounded by Superstorm Sandy. The remains of the roller coaster that was knocked off a New Jersey amusement pier by Superstorm Sandy and partially submerged in the Atlantic Ocean might be left there as a tourist attraction.

/ AP Photo/Mel Evans

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, N.J. The remains of a roller coaster that was knocked off a New Jersey amusement pier by Superstorm Sandy and partially submerged in the Atlantic Ocean might be left there as a tourist attraction.

Seaside Heights Mayor Bill Akers says officials have not made a decision on whether to tear down the coaster. But the mayor says he's working with the Coast Guard to see if the coaster is stable enough to leave it alone because he believes it would make ``a great tourist attraction.''

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Seaside Heights: Now and then

Meanwhile, efforts to rebuild the storm-ravaged town are continuing.

Demolition crews have removed the resort's damaged boardwalk. And Akers says construction on a new boardwalk is expected to begin in January and be ready by Memorial Day.

[sciline]

Having a summer home in Pine Beach, NJ, in the 20s and 30s we used to visit Seaside Heights quite often. The Roller Coaster was our favorite ride. This has brought back many pleasant memories.
Tom Nass
5th Marine Division - WWII

[polisigh]

The attraction of the Jersey shore should be its natural beauties and wonders not the man-made disasters. The littoral areas should remain unspoiled and undisturbed.

[aubfmet]

If this works out, they might be able to start selling tours to the local junk yard.

[pnut134]

It is called an "Attractive Nuisance" and they will be sued for anything that happens to people climbing on, or being attracted to, the wreckage.

[Atlanticum]

Give him credit for thinking out of the box. If he leaves it there over next summer, I'll come see it. I'll stop on the boardwalk and buy a sausage and pepper sandwhich and a drink too.

He can remove it the following year, but next summer would be a big money-maker.

[raffcat57]

...and how 'bout people swimming out to it? Is he planning on putting a fence around it? Most people would prolly want to forget about Sandy and not be constantly reminded of it. For safety reasons it's probably a bad idea.

[Jaylah54200]

Oh, what a bright boy!

How long does he suppose it's going to be before the thing, submerged in sea-water, rusts into nothing?

[signseeker1717]

Yes, it IS "bright" to think outside the box, and consider OTHER options besides just scrapping the thing. Submerged metal doesn't just rust away to "nothing" as quickly as you imply, OR without purpose, both unintended or intended.

There are WWII wrecks, and others MUCH older, around the world, that have survived and become attractions for divers, at many depths and in various water temperatures. Also, decommissioned vessels are often towed to sea, and purposely sunk to serve as artificial reefs. Sea life encrustation preserves the structure, which is then used as habitats for various species of fish.

And if the cost of walling it off or putting protective fencing around it is LESS than these other options, why NOT leave it there as a tourist attraction to help local business?