JUNE 2018: HISTORIC ARTIFICIAL REEF PROJECT IN POWELL RIVER, BC
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) is pleased to announce the sinking of the first of four surplus vessels as an artificial reef in Powell River, BC. The sinking of YOGN-82 is scheduled for Saturday, 23 June between 11am and 12 noon. Spectator viewing is possible near Willingdon Beach. For safety, all watercraft will be required to maintain a distance of 2000 feet from the hulk and the area will be patrolled to ensure that this safe distance is maintained. Click to download the press release.
Preceding the sinking, the command tug boat will sound 12 short whistle signals, followed by a two minute interval before a final warning signal. After the sinking, the area will remain closed to the public for 36 to 48 hours, allowing the ARSBC technical divers to survey the wreck site.
The ARSBC, which has sunk more ships and aircraft than any other non-profit group in the world to create marine habitat, has worked and consulted with the owners for the sinking of the first vessel, YOGN-82. In addition to the letters of endorsement from the Tla’amin Nation (Sliammon), the Regional District of Powell River and the City of Powell River, approvals have now been granted by the responsible federal government agencies.
The four ships planned for reefing are currently part of the mill’s 10-vessel breakwater infrastructure. YOGN-82, a surplus US Navy gasoline barge, is the first vessel to be prepared and sunk.
The breakwater vessels are all American Second World War surplus which were purchased over time by the mill. Constructed from cast reinforced concrete, they have survived afloat and have been part of Powell River’s seascape acting as a breakwater system protecting the mill’s log pond and foreshore. Ranging from 109 to 128 meters long, and weighting between 6,000 to 8,000 tons, these historic relics are the last of their kind afloat anywhere in the world. Consequently, this project has the potential to become a significant scuba dive tourism attraction for the City of Powell River.
The ARSBC completed its eighth major project on April 4, 2015 after the successful sinking of the former HMCS Annapolis in Halkett Bay, Gambier Island. ARSBC President Howie Robins believes this exciting new project will build on the organization’s successful record of accomplishment of converting ships into productive long-term reef habitat. “This will be the most unique and creative marine habitat project ever undertaken by our Society. The challenge will be to place up to four of these large vessels in a group formation at variable depths ranging from 25-35 meters. Divers of all skill levels seek novelty, and this will be a dive back into maritime history for adventure divers worldwide,” said Mr. Robins.
Accessible only by watercraft, the ships will be prepared in succession and sunk within easy scuba swimming distance from each other eventually creating a cluster of historic wrecks.
These wartime relics are already well past their life span. They are already floating artificial reefs based on the generations of biodiversity on their hull. When fully submerged, these ships will form a pinnacle oasis for marine flora and fauna settlement with scale and habitat complexity.
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) is pleased to announce the sinking of the first of four surplus vessels as an artificial reef in Powell River, BC. The sinking of YOGN-82 is scheduled for Saturday, 23 June between 11am and 12 noon. Spectator viewing is possible near Willingdon Beach. For safety, all watercraft will be required to maintain a distance of 2000 feet from the hulk and the area will be patrolled to ensure that this safe distance is maintained. Click to download the press release.
Preceding the sinking, the command tug boat will sound 12 short whistle signals, followed by a two minute interval before a final warning signal. After the sinking, the area will remain closed to the public for 36 to 48 hours, allowing the ARSBC technical divers to survey the wreck site.
The ARSBC, which has sunk more ships and aircraft than any other non-profit group in the world to create marine habitat, has worked and consulted with the owners for the sinking of the first vessel, YOGN-82. In addition to the letters of endorsement from the Tla’amin Nation (Sliammon), the Regional District of Powell River and the City of Powell River, approvals have now been granted by the responsible federal government agencies.
The four ships planned for reefing are currently part of the mill’s 10-vessel breakwater infrastructure. YOGN-82, a surplus US Navy gasoline barge, is the first vessel to be prepared and sunk.
The breakwater vessels are all American Second World War surplus which were purchased over time by the mill. Constructed from cast reinforced concrete, they have survived afloat and have been part of Powell River’s seascape acting as a breakwater system protecting the mill’s log pond and foreshore. Ranging from 109 to 128 meters long, and weighting between 6,000 to 8,000 tons, these historic relics are the last of their kind afloat anywhere in the world. Consequently, this project has the potential to become a significant scuba dive tourism attraction for the City of Powell River.
The ARSBC completed its eighth major project on April 4, 2015 after the successful sinking of the former HMCS Annapolis in Halkett Bay, Gambier Island. ARSBC President Howie Robins believes this exciting new project will build on the organization’s successful record of accomplishment of converting ships into productive long-term reef habitat. “This will be the most unique and creative marine habitat project ever undertaken by our Society. The challenge will be to place up to four of these large vessels in a group formation at variable depths ranging from 25-35 meters. Divers of all skill levels seek novelty, and this will be a dive back into maritime history for adventure divers worldwide,” said Mr. Robins.
Accessible only by watercraft, the ships will be prepared in succession and sunk within easy scuba swimming distance from each other eventually creating a cluster of historic wrecks.
These wartime relics are already well past their life span. They are already floating artificial reefs based on the generations of biodiversity on their hull. When fully submerged, these ships will form a pinnacle oasis for marine flora and fauna settlement with scale and habitat complexity.
From Powell River Living, April 2017 issue: 'The Last Word' with Sean Percy
Plans for the sinking of the YOGN-82 are underway in Powell River. Read the December 2017 editorial in Scuba & H20 Adventures by Selene Muldowney, The Journey of a Concrete Ship: From Breakwaters to Reefs.
PRESS RELEASE: The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia & Catalyst Paper announce plans for historic artificial reef project
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) is pleased to announce an effort to pursue the conversion of four surplus vessels into artificial reefs in Powell River, BC.
The ARSBC, which has sunk more ships and aircraft than any other non-profit group in the world to create marine habitat, will consult with Catalyst within the federal government’s regulatory framework for the disposal of these vessels at sea. This will require applying for permits and/or approvals from Environment Canada, Transport Canada and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans.
The four ships planned for reefing are currently part of the mill’s 10-vessel breakwater infrastructure. These ships, which are no longer required, include YOGN-82, Emile N. Vidal, Quartz and S.S. Peralta. The reefing program will be a multi-phase initiative with YOGN-82 to be the first vessel prepared and sunk in 2017.
The vessels, all American war surplus were purchased over time after the Second World War and are between 70 and 95-years-old. Constructed from cast reinforced concrete, they have survived afloat and have been part of Powell River’s seascape acting as a breakwater system protecting the mill’s log pond and foreshore. Ranging from 109 to 128 meters long, and weighting between 6,000 to 8,000 tons, these historic relics are the last of their kind afloat anywhere in the world. The S.S. Peralta, which spans 128 meters in length, is the oldest at 97 years dating back to just after the First World War.
The ARSBC completed its eighth major project on April 4, 2015 after the successful sinking of the former HMCS Annapolis in Halkett Bay, Gambier Island. Reef Society President Howie Robins believes this exciting new project will build on the organization’s successful record of accomplishment of converting ships into productive reef habitat.
“This will be the most unique and creative marine habitat project ever undertaken by our Society and we are delighted to work with the vessel owners throughout this process,” says Robins. “Divers of all skill levels seek novelty and this will be a dive back into maritime history for adventure divers worldwide.”
The ARSBC intends to place these giant vessels in a group formation at variable depths ranging roughly 25 to 35 meters. Accessible only by watercraft, the ships will be sunk within easy scuba swimming distance from each other.
“These wartime relics are already well past their life span, in essence they are already floating artificial reefs based on the generations of biodiversity on their hulls,” adds Robins. “When fully submerged, these ships will form a pinnacle oasis for marine flora and fauna settlement with scale and habitat complexity.”
To date, letters of endorsement for the project have been received from the Tla’amin Nation (Sliammon), the Regional District of Powell River and the City of Powell River.
For more information, please contact:
Rick Wall – Director, Communications, Artificial Reef Society of BC
Email: vpres@artificialreefsocietybc.ca
Mobile: 1-250 895-9067
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) is a registered non-profit society based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Society has an experienced team of specialists who consult on the creation of long term stable marine habitats using ethical means of vessel preparation. As well as protecting environmentally and historically sensitive marine habitats, these new reefs also provide opportunities for eco-adventure scuba diving tourism. Since 1991, the Artificial Reef Society has sunk seven ships and one Boeing 737 in the waters off BC's west coast.
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) is pleased to announce an effort to pursue the conversion of four surplus vessels into artificial reefs in Powell River, BC.
The ARSBC, which has sunk more ships and aircraft than any other non-profit group in the world to create marine habitat, will consult with Catalyst within the federal government’s regulatory framework for the disposal of these vessels at sea. This will require applying for permits and/or approvals from Environment Canada, Transport Canada and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans.
The four ships planned for reefing are currently part of the mill’s 10-vessel breakwater infrastructure. These ships, which are no longer required, include YOGN-82, Emile N. Vidal, Quartz and S.S. Peralta. The reefing program will be a multi-phase initiative with YOGN-82 to be the first vessel prepared and sunk in 2017.
The vessels, all American war surplus were purchased over time after the Second World War and are between 70 and 95-years-old. Constructed from cast reinforced concrete, they have survived afloat and have been part of Powell River’s seascape acting as a breakwater system protecting the mill’s log pond and foreshore. Ranging from 109 to 128 meters long, and weighting between 6,000 to 8,000 tons, these historic relics are the last of their kind afloat anywhere in the world. The S.S. Peralta, which spans 128 meters in length, is the oldest at 97 years dating back to just after the First World War.
The ARSBC completed its eighth major project on April 4, 2015 after the successful sinking of the former HMCS Annapolis in Halkett Bay, Gambier Island. Reef Society President Howie Robins believes this exciting new project will build on the organization’s successful record of accomplishment of converting ships into productive reef habitat.
“This will be the most unique and creative marine habitat project ever undertaken by our Society and we are delighted to work with the vessel owners throughout this process,” says Robins. “Divers of all skill levels seek novelty and this will be a dive back into maritime history for adventure divers worldwide.”
The ARSBC intends to place these giant vessels in a group formation at variable depths ranging roughly 25 to 35 meters. Accessible only by watercraft, the ships will be sunk within easy scuba swimming distance from each other.
“These wartime relics are already well past their life span, in essence they are already floating artificial reefs based on the generations of biodiversity on their hulls,” adds Robins. “When fully submerged, these ships will form a pinnacle oasis for marine flora and fauna settlement with scale and habitat complexity.”
To date, letters of endorsement for the project have been received from the Tla’amin Nation (Sliammon), the Regional District of Powell River and the City of Powell River.
For more information, please contact:
Rick Wall – Director, Communications, Artificial Reef Society of BC
Email: vpres@artificialreefsocietybc.ca
Mobile: 1-250 895-9067
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) is a registered non-profit society based in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Society has an experienced team of specialists who consult on the creation of long term stable marine habitats using ethical means of vessel preparation. As well as protecting environmentally and historically sensitive marine habitats, these new reefs also provide opportunities for eco-adventure scuba diving tourism. Since 1991, the Artificial Reef Society has sunk seven ships and one Boeing 737 in the waters off BC's west coast.
At left, the ships serving as the Breakwater in Powel River. At right, the YOGN-82.
Background
YOGN-82 was one of 22 unpowered B7 A2 gasoline barges built by Concrete Ship Builders of National City, California. YOGN-82 was purchased by the Powell River Company and used as part of their breakwater located on the Malaspina Strait.
Statistics
Launched: 1944 • Length: 112 m • Breadth: 16 m • Draught: 8 m • Gross Weight: 4408 tonnes
YOGN-82 was one of 22 unpowered B7 A2 gasoline barges built by Concrete Ship Builders of National City, California. YOGN-82 was purchased by the Powell River Company and used as part of their breakwater located on the Malaspina Strait.
Statistics
Launched: 1944 • Length: 112 m • Breadth: 16 m • Draught: 8 m • Gross Weight: 4408 tonnes
