Artificial reef could be sunk by Easter

The UK's largest artificial reef could be sunk in Torbay waters by next Easter.

The team bidding to secure Ark Royal as the world's second-largest artificial reef is also bidding for a smaller frigate to sink within the Bay.

Michael Byfield, of the Wreck the World project, said the frigate would cost up to £600,000 compared with the £6.5million bid for the Ark Royal.

And he told a Business Breakfast at the Riviera International Conference Centre that a celebrity with a major interest in maritime conservation was interested in the frigate project which could be filmed as a documentary.

Mr Byfield said while they were still awaiting the Government decision on Ark Royal's disposal, four Type-22 frigates were being made available which would be larger than the Scylla which was sunk off Plymouth as a reef.

Wreck the World has already expressed interest in bidding for one of the vessels which, at 148m, would be the largest artificial reef in the UK.

The vessel is expected to cost up to £600,000 but that cost could be offset by the sale of scrap metal when she is cleaned back to bare metal before being sunk.

As well as being an attraction in her own right, the wreck would also provide training dives if Ark Royal was secured. Mr Byfield said Weymouth was also interested in having a vessel.

He said the organisation was also being approached regarding creating other artificial reefs, for example sinking aircraft, trains, motor vehicles to create reefs to create homes for marine life elsewhere.

He said the frigate could be stripped and sunk in the Bay by next Easter.

First divers explore new USS Mohawk artificial reef

A World War Two era Coast Guard cutter is now Southwest Florida's newest underwater attraction, as the USS Mohawk was sunk Monday to become a new artificial reef off the coast of Sanibel.

A special charter of scuba divers became the first to explore the new reef, just a few hours after the sinking.

In the deep blue of the Gulf of Mexico, that piece of Coast Guard history now rests on the sea floor. The Mohawk is now an underwater dedication to American veterans.

More than 20 divers suited up on the Ultimate Getaway for the ultimate adventure, around and inside a brand new attraction.

"It's a little turned up from all the settlement, wood from the decks floating around down there, the lifeboat hanging off the side of it, all tore up from the explosion I guess," diver Adam Smith described the conditions.

"There's lots of wood planking coming off the wreck in really big chunks," said diver Mike Muscato.

The first exploration came on a clear, calm day; perfect conditions, just hours after a man-made shipwreck.

Divers say the Mowhawk settled perfectly on the sea floor, upright and open for exploration.

"One the word gets out, Lee County is on the map for rec diving," said Scuba Vice owner Ramiro Palma, who organized the inaugural dive. "It's an incredible shipwreck, it's going to be wonderful for divers from all over the world to come dive in.

Many of the ship's artifacts were left intact, and several special "treasures" have been hidden on board for early explorers.

Shipwrecks aren't unusual destinations for experienced divers, but rarely do they get the chance to do it so soon after it was created.

"Very unique, to see it floating and dive it all in the same day," Muscato said.