| As long as humans have been building rafts, boats, | | | | dollar a year increase in tourism since 2001. |
| ships or any kind of water craft, we been sinking them | | | | The HMCS Yukon contributes more than five million |
| (the vast majority unintentionally). For most of our | | | | dollars annually to the San Diego, CA region. |
| history on the oceans, our technology has been no | | | | Scuba diving on artificial reefs require special care, |
| match for the power and force that can be mustered | | | | training and sometimes equipment. Local dive shops |
| against it by the seven seas. Even our biggest | | | | provide training and certification for "wreck diving" and |
| ventures - like the Titanic - are not invulnerable to ice | | | | provide the special equipment required to safely dive |
| bergs or missiles. | | | | around artificial reefs. |
| And as long as humans have ventured under the | | | | On May 17, 2006, the retired aircraft carrier Oriskany |
| oceans, we've been trying to get down to these | | | | became the largest vessel ever to be "reefed". At 910 |
| sunken ships to take a look. | | | | feet in length and with visibility averaging between 60 |
| In recent history, we've been intentionally sinking unused | | | | and 100+ feet, the "Mighty O" is an impressive site to |
| and outdated vessels and calling them "artificial reefs". | | | | divers. Her flight deck is sitting at 145 feet - considered |
| There is a measured benefit to both marine life and | | | | a technical dive - but her island can be approached at |
| local economies when "artificial reef societies" | | | | 78 feet. |
| intentionally put a ship on the bottom of the ocean. In | | | | Overtime, an artificial reef will re-create its own |
| Nanaimo, BC, Canada, the local Chamber of | | | | biomass underwater becoming a home to countless |
| Commerce reports that the two artificial reefs, the | | | | species of fish and plants and an attraction and |
| HMCS Saskatchwan and HMCS Cape Breton, located | | | | destination to scuba divers. |
| in the Nanaimo harbour, have produced a four million | | | | |