Naval craft historically sank in defeat, now they go to the bottom in victory.
Sunken wrecks, the remains of ancient sea battles – whether among men or with the elements – lay underwater for centuries offering shelter to the sea life and, in more recent times, adventure to divers. Today, projects to exploit the ecological and economic potential of these artificial reefs are gaining momentum in the UK, despite obstacles standing in their way.
In early 2013 four decommissioned Royal Navy frigates were put up for sale by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD). After serving their country on counter-piracy missions and operations in the Falkland Islands, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Libya and Egypt, HMS Cumberland, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Chatham, and HMS Cornwall were ready to be recycled or continue their service as artificial reefs.
The project was to follow the example set by another frigate, the HMS Scylla, which was successfully scuttled in 2004 to create the first artificial reef of its kind in Europe. Scuttling decommissioned naval ships has gained popularity and community projects such as Sink One 4 Sussex, Wreck to Reef in England and the Sound of Mull Artificial Reef Project in Scotland have got underway to promote them. In the event, their hopes were disappointed when the four Royal Navy Type 22 frigates were ultimately sold to conventional ship breakers for scrap, three to Leyal Ship Recycling, a Turkish breaker, and the fourth to Swansea Drydocks, a UK recycling company based in South Wales.
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Naval craft historically sank in defeat, now they go to the bottom in victory.
Sunken wrecks, the remains of ancient sea battles – whether among men or with the elements – lay underwater for centuries offering shelter to the sea life and, in more recent times, adventure to divers. Today, projects to exploit the ecological and economic potential of these artificial reefs are gaining momentum in the UK, despite obstacles standing in their way.