"Wreck Valley" Diver, the elite Scuba rating authored at Swim and Scuba of Long Island- earn this PADI Distinctive Specialty Rating that sets you apart as an Northeast Atlantic Wreck Diver.
There is a comprehensive listing of dive sites in the New Jersey / Long Island area, covering shipwrecks, artificial reefs, beach dives, and selected inland sites. The emphasis is on recreational ( less than 130 ft ) diving in northern New Jersey, New York and Long Island since that's where we live and dive. The current total is over 400 references, although this includes a few shipwrecks that are of purely historical interest.
Wreck Valley is a superb place for wreck diving. Estimates of the number of wrecks off this coast are between 4000 and 7000. To get some idea of what a staggering figure this is, take a look at the charts here, and for every black cross denoting a shipwreck, imagine 15-20 more. As if this was not enough, every year many excellent new "shipwrecks" are added by active artificial reef programs in both New Jersey and New York. Wrecks vary in age from the 18th century to World Wars I & II to the present day.
By visiting 5 Atlantic Ocean local wrecks, and having earned the Wreck and Deep Diver certifications, including dives at the two core wrecks the Stolt and the San Diego, and taking the brief class to familiarize you with the Northeast's Wreck Valley, you will earn this Prestigious Distinctive Dive Specialty rating.
http://www.scubadiving.com/travel/northeast/wreck-valley-new-york-new-jersey