Poor visibility due to rust contributes to third diver death in BC since 2007

Human error, along with debris and rust from artificial reef all factors in summer diving death.

"...(T)he silt, mostly iodized iron, found within wrecks can easily be kicked up by divers"

Last week's tragedy was third since '07 at our artificial reefs for divers

Long term damage, short term benefit: reefs break down under stress

A recent report commissioned by opponents of the Avoca artificial reef project highlights the problems with using wrecks as reefs: they break apart. A recent artificial reef project in New Zealand had to issue warnings to divers due to the helicopter hanger of the boat becoming detached from the rest of the boat.

Breakup of three ships within 6 months to one year resulted in closure, temporary
closure of the reefing sites to diving or warnings of significantly increased diving
hazards.  (Appendices C, D. E)
 

read more (in pdf format)

 

HMAS Adelaide scuttle plan gets mixed reaction

The scuttling of a warship in New South Wales is scheduled to go ahead as planned, despite continued opposition from the No Ship Action group.  Michelle Meares from the No Ship Action Group says that a similar ship sunk for an artiificial reef has run into numerous problems:

" debris is washing up on the shore, the helicopter hanger has detached from the vessel and it has basically turned into a giant battery under the water."

read more here

Letter of opposition to sinking of ship in BC

Georgia Strait Alliance letter of opposition to the creation of an artificial reef in British Columbia.

There is no scientific agreement that artificial reef construction is beneficial to the marine environment, and indeed, there is much scientific opinion that it can actually be harmful - particularly when reefs are made from "materials of convenience" (eg. old warships) rather than being designed for the specific location and for enhancement of specific species considering factors such as the number of chambers, chamber size, optimum reef size, design, substrate, depth vs. distance offshore, spatial arrangement or configuration and materials, etc. Artificial reefs made of old ships and other cast-off materials are unnecessary and may even harm the environment by replacing existing natural habitats with less effective artificial ones. At the very least, we are altering marine habitat by sinking ships.

Another interesting point

The steel hull and aluminum superstructure of these ships corrode quickly underwater, making the ship a potential hazard. A diver who explored the Chaudiere 16 months after its sinking confirmed that pieces of the ship broke away in his hands and jagged edges were exposed

Read the entire letter here:
http://www.georgiastrait.org/?q=node/603

What happens to artificial reefs in the future?

E-Magazine posts an interesting perspective on the artificial reef debate in response to a reader's question.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which sunk 100 obsolete combat tanks in 1994, estimates that most artificial reefs will last no longer than 50 years, meaning they could threaten fragile marine life as they break up

Read the entire article here:
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?1867&src=