Welcome To Reef Builders International, Corp.
Gary Levine, visionary president of Reef Builders International, whose innovative approach has made the Memorial Reef a standard legacy for post-cremation remains, is at the very heart of the groundbreaking concepts for new and needed alternatives to traditional burial practices.
As a recognized leader in the field, Reef Builders International combines imagination, creativity, art, and design with sustainable ecological solutions to craft meaningful memorials honoring our loved ones while creating memories and benefiting the environment at the same time.
Our enthusiastic team and partners prioritize environmental sustainability and stewardship in every aspect of our projects, ensuring that each memorial makes a lasting and positive contribution to ocean health.
We invite you to honor your loved one with a unique tribute at the Poseidon Memorial Reef. Choosing Reef Builders International means selecting a future where memorialization meets ecological responsibility while creating a legacy in a place of Reverence, Recognition and Respect for the departed.
Large Installations
1989 Powell River, BC – “The Emerald Princess” – nine foot (3m) bronze mermaid placed 60 feet underwater for scuba tourism and environmental awareness.
Commissioned by DIVE BC – View In Website
2000 Grand Cayman, BWI – “Amphitrite” – nine foot (3m) bronze mermaid placed 50 feet underwater for scuba tourism and environmental awareness.
Commissioned by Sunset House Resort – View In Website
2003 Georgetown, Grand Cayman, BWI – “Tradition” – two life size figures unveiled by His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, on the Quintecentennial Anniversary of the discovery of the Cayman Islands by Columbus, in memoriam to the nearly 500 Caymanian souls lost at sea recorded since 1792.
Commissioned by The Caymanian Mariners’ Memorial Society, Bob Soto, CBE. – View In Website
2006 Vancouver, British Columbia – “Henry Larsen” – Life size figure of RCMP Sgt. Henry Larsen, master of the RCMP Vessel St. Roch during the crossing of the North-West Passage, 1942-44
Commissioned by The Vancouver Maritime Museum. Installed and unveiled on the Port foredeck of the RCMP Vessel St. Roch in July, 2006 – View In Website
2014 Grand Cayman BWI – “The Guardian of the Reef” – 13 foot tall mythical figure, half man half seahorse installed in 70 feet of water at Divetech, in West Bay to promote environmental awareness. Funds raised by divers’ donations to support activities of the “West Bay Warriors”, a group formed to educate at-risk Caymanian youth in the value of the marine environment.
Commissioned by Divetech – View In Website
Sculptural Awards
| 1992 Toronto | Underwater Canada presents “Ocean Flight” to Douglas Rosser as recipient of the Canadian National Underwater Achievement Award. |
| 1996 Vancouver | Underwater Society of British Columbia presents “Solitude” to Jim Willoughby as the inaugural recipient of the “Ocean Pioneer Award”. |
| 2000 Vancouver | Underwater Society of British Columbia presents “Solitude” to Dr. Phil Nyutten as the second recipient of the “Ocean Pioneer Award”. |
| 2004 Vancouver | Underwater Society of British Columbia presents “Solitude” to Dr. Michael Lepawski, Director, Vancouver Hyperbaric Medicine, as the third recipient of the “Ocean Pioneer Award”. |
| 2004 Vancouver | Canadian Association of Freediving and Apnea (CAFA) presents “Apnea” to winner of the Association for the International Development of Apnea (AIDA) World Free Diving Championships held in Vancouver, August 2004. |
Societies
Royal Canadian Geographic Society – October, 2021 Inducted as Member, College of Fellows
Artists For Conservation Foundation – Signature Member, February 2020
Ocean Artists Society, October, 2003 Orlando, Florida – Inducted as an inaugural member
Arts & Cultural Highway of British Columbia – Member
Oceans 2000 – Member (a group of leadership level sponsors of the Ocean Futures Foundation)
Shows by Invitation:
| 2001 | DEMA Show New Orleans – Featured Artist (Diving Equipment and Marketing Association) |
| 2001 | 28th World Festival of Underwater Pictures at Antibes-Juan-Les-Pins, France Invited & displayed as Representative of Canadian Marine Art |
| 2002 | Our World Underwater Chicago – Artist and Featured Speaker |
| 2002 | DEMA Show Las Vegas – Featured Artist with Wyland |
| 2002 | Comox Underwater Film Festival – Featured Artist & Master of Ceremonies |
| 2003 | DEMA Show Miami – Featured Artist with Wyland and Ocean Artists Society |
| 2004 | Vancouver Aquarium “Dive 2004” – Featured Artist |
| 2004 | DEMA Show Houston – Featured Artist |
| 2013 | DEMA Show Orlando – for unveiling of “The Guardian of the Reef” |
Awards
| 1990 Toronto | Recipient of Canadian National Underwater Achievement Award, presented by Underwater Canada |
| 1990 Vancouver | Recipient of Appreciation Award presented by SCUBA Diving Association of British Columbia (Both regarding the installation of the Mermaid in Powell River) |
Collections
Represented internationally by corporate & individual collectors in Argentinian Patagonia, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Grand Cayman, Kuwait, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, & USA including Hawaii
Professional Association of Underwater Instructors – PADI
Commissioned life-size busts of the founders, John Cronin and Ralph Erickson, installed at PADI Founders’ hall, Santa Anna, California – View In Website
Support for non-profit organizations
Simon has raised funds through the sale, donation and auction of his work for the following organizations:
The Ocean Futures Foundation
PADI PROJECT A.W.A.R.E (Aquatic World Awareness Responsibility Education)
Sea Save Foundation
Marine Life Sanctuaries Society, British Columbia
OceanWise (Vancouver Aquarium)
Cayman Magic Reef Recovery
The Shark Research Institute
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation
The Canadian Cancer Foundation
Artspring (Center for Performing Arts, Saltspring Island, British Columbia)
Media Representation
Simon’s work has been featured in local, national and international media as follows:
BCTV, CITY TV & CTV (Canadian Television Networks)
Base2 Media (ongoing video documentary)
Diver Magazine (Canada)
Diver Magazine (England)
DiverNewsWire
Northwest Dive News Magazine
Oktonyk (”Octopus”) Magazine (Russia)
Rodale’s Scuba Diving Magazine
Skin Diver Magazine
Tauchen (Diving) Magazine (Germany)
The Cayman Compass Newspaper
The New Yorker Magazine
The Undersea Journal Magazine
Vancouver Sun Newspaper
Walter Marine
Exclusive Contractor and Stakeholder
A Monumental Partnership Announcement from Reef Builders International Corp. and Walter Marine Investments:
Reef Builders International Corp. is the construction wing of Poseidon. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Walter Marine Investments, LLC, as we embark on an innovative journey to establish the Poseidon Memorial Reef.
This collaboration unites two passionate father-son ventures dedicated to creating state-of-the-art artificial reefs that enhance marine habitats and advance conservation efforts.
Our inaugural deployments commenced in August and September off the coast of beautiful Destin Beach, Florida.
Known as the Emerald Coast, the waters off Destin are renowned for incredible marine life, providing an idyllic setting for anglers, divers, and snorkelers alike, with abundant snapper and grouper populations and blue-green waters.
Walter Marine is a leader in artificial reef construction across the U.S., acclaimed for their pioneering designs and steadfast commitment to marine sustainability. The Poseidon Memorial Reef represents a transformative initiative envisioned by Gary Levine, President of Reef Builders International, building on the success of his previous project.
More than just an artificial reef, the Poseidon Memorial Reef serves as a memorial site, a thriving habitat for marine life, and an exciting destination for water sports and marine enthusiasts alike. Together, Reef Builders International and Walter Marine Investments epitomize innovation in this vital field.
We invite you to join us in this groundbreaking endeavor and help create a lasting legacy that honors remembrance, recognition, and respect for both the departed and our oceans. Together, we will shape a beautiful legacy for future generations.
Stay connected for updates and learn how you can be part of this journey by following us at www.poseidonreef.com and on Facebook at Poseidon Memorial Reef.
Legion Undersea Services
Primary Underwater Construction Contractor
Poseidon Memorial Reef is very proud to work with Legion Undersea Services as our primary undersea contractor for the final stages of each deployment of our memorial structures on the ocean floor. Work will begin with LUS in Mid-April.
LUS is a certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) with the US SBA, with team of commercial divers and marine professionals dedicated to providing the absolute best in professionalism, safety and dependability available anywhere. Recruited from military special operations veterans, as well as elite divers from the pinnacle of the commercial industry, LUS takes on the world’s most demanding undersea operations.
According to LUS founders John Marsack and Nick Zaborski, “There is no greater honor than bringing American heroes home.
The Atlantis Reef Project
Gary Levine, President of Reef Builder International, was the original visionary behind the Atlantis Reef Project concept and the creation of an underwater memorial reef for people that love the oceans. After obtaining the authority to build, Levine called on sculptor Kim Brandell to create the artistic designs for the project. After the design phase was agreed upon, the structures were built for the first deployment. The goal was to put the Atlantis Reef on the ocean floor before any alliance with BG Capital would occur. BG Capital was the company that owned and managed Neptune Society. Even though they continue to promote that they played any part in the idea, authority to build, engineering, design, or any part of the concept of the reef, this is simply not factual.
Gary Levine and Kim Brandell will forever be the only creators of what is now known as the Neptune Reef. Levine is credited with developing the concept and turning an idea into a reality. Brandell is the artist and sculptor that took the ideas and design and turned them into concrete structures. Their efforts have left a lasting impact on ocean conservation and the preservation of marine life. The Neptune Reef has become a popular destination for divers and ocean enthusiasts, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our planet’s precious natural resources.
The Poseidon Memorial Reef
The Poseidon Memorial Reef is an ecological masterpiece that over time will become a vibrant living reef environment. It will be a place and memorial for friends and family members who have passed away or offers the opportunity to pre-plan as well. Earthly remains of the departed placed within the reef will be “Resting In Peace” surrounded by an ever-changing landscape of marine life alive, healthy, and amazingly colorful.
The Poseidon Memorial Reef is the second underwater memorial project conceived by the founder and President, Gary Levine. Ecologically designed to create a vibrant reef habitat, it also serves as a serene resting place for our loved ones.
The ocean is a stunning realm of life and adventure, offering a myriad of activities such as boating, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, skiing, swimming, and more.
For those who cherish the ocean, have worked and played in it, or simply find solace in watching the sun rise or set from the shore, the Poseidon Memorial Reef holds a unique and profound significance.
Poseidon Reef Layout (Phases 1, 2, 3, and 4)
Ocean Legacies
"A Tale of Two Cities"
”From Life to Legacy”
A Journey of Remembrance
Ocean Legacies offers unique and heartfelt ways to honor your loved ones at the Poseidon Memorial Reef. This innovative ecological project transforms the process of memorialization into a living tribute, merging remembrance with the beauty and vitality of marine life.
Poseidon Memorial Reef is designed to be more than just a resting place; it is certain to be recognized as an ecological masterpiece designed to nurture and support the vibrant tapestry of ocean life. Here, the earthly remains of your cherished family members and friends are interred within an exquisite underwater environment that teems with color and movement. Each memorial site becomes a part of a flourishing underwater ecosystem, where the spirits of the departed are embraced by the natural beauty of the ocean.
Providing a habitat for a diverse range of marine species, this sanctuary promotes biodiversity and supports the delicate balance of underwater ecosystems. Each memorial serves as a meaningful expression of Recognition, Reverence, and Respect where the memories of your loved ones thrive in an ocean setting that embodies life and renewal.
We hope you join us to create lasting legacies and cherished memories at Poseidon Memorial Reef. This is where the love for the departed intertwines with the rhythms of the ocean, creating a place of peace, beauty, and connection for generations to come.
Reefs For Oceans a 501C3 Non-Profit Organization
A Commitment to Marine Conservation
Reefs For Oceans is dedicated to the application, preservation and, enhancement of the Poseidon Memorial Reef Habitat Program. Located sixty feet (10 fathoms) beneath the waves Emerald Coast just a mile offshore of beautiful Destin Beach, Florida. This innovative underwater project plays a crucial role in revitalizing marine ecosystems but also serves as a heartfelt tribute to those want to leave a legacy as part of a living memorial reef while “Resting In Peace” for eternity.
By supporting Reefs For Oceans, you can help establish an ecologically designed dive site that fosters the growth and restoration of vital marine habitats. Our project is committed to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem that includes a diverse array of marine species such as vibrant corals, resilient sea urchins, colorful sponges, and favorites like grouper, snapper, lobster, and shrimp.
Reefs For Oceans is a fully accredited 501C3 Non-profit. All donations and purchases are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Your financial advisor or accountant can advise you regarding any tax benefits for purchases at the Poseidon Memorial Reef.
Key Initiatives
In addition to the reef space created by the custom designed structures house the Last Earthly Remains of our departed, the biological success of the reef depends on enhanced surface area created by Limestone Boulder Habitat and the Limestone bases supporting the main sculptures.
These are essential to the success of the reef, may be supported by two types of contributions.
As a supporter of The Limestone Boulder Habitat Areas, you will participate in the creation of stable and sustainable habitats that support a planned diverse marine life, promoting ecological balance and resilience within our oceans. Ancient Florida Limestone Coral Boulders are a huge benefit for artificial reef projects.
As a supporter of The Simon Morris Poseidon Reef Collection – “Icons of the Reef,” you will assist in expanding this distinguished collection. The “Icons of the Reef” pays homage in bronze to carefully selected individuals in recognition of their leadership roles in the field of oceanic science, exploration, education, entertainment, research, discovery, and industry.
Together, the materials your memorial contributes will be effective for generations to come.
Make your plans now to Rest In Peace when the time comes. We will be there for you.