Retired warship to be sunk as artificial reef for divers

If you sink it, divers will come.
The Artificial Reef Society of B.C. says it plans to stimulate the province's lukewarm diving industry by sinking a retired warship near Vancouver next year.

"Divers like novelty and a ship wreck is about the most fun a sport diver can have," said Howie Robins, president of the Artificial Reef Society of B.C. "This will be one of the best diving attractions on the coast. "Created in 1991, the reef society uses retired ships and airplanes to create artificial ocean reefs that divers can explore. So far the group has sunk six ships and a Boeing 737, largely off the Vancouver Island coast.

Last year, the reef society purchased the former HMCS Annapolis from the federal government for more than $750,000. The Annapolis is a retired destroyer escort currently stationed at Colwood naval docks. The ship contains 40 per cent more explorable space than any previous sunk vessel, Robins said.

"It's a large ship with lots of room to explore," he said. "It's perfect for divers."..[Times Colonist]