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Probably
the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the San Diego Oceans Foundation
was the acquisition, preparation, and sinking of the decommissioned Canadian
warship HMCS YUKON. Working in cooperation with the Artificial Reef Society
of British Columbia, SDOF brought the YUKON to San Diego from Canada, stripped
it of toxic and hazardous materials, and placed it on bottom to serve as
an artificial reef offshore from Mission Beach.
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The
volunteer effort to prepare the ship for sinking can not be overstated.
Without the persistent hard work of numerous members of the San Diego diving
community and others, this Herculean task could never have been completed.
Our goal was to make the ship safe for divers by removing entanglement hazards
and creating numerous openings for easy egress, and to make it safe for
the environment, as well. The point, after all, was to enhance the habitat,
not pollute it! SDOF has striven to set the standard for responsible artificial
reef creation in the United States, and is in the process of preparing a
manual for other organizations to follow when converting ships to reefs.
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| The HMCS Yukon is the
largest ship ever sunk on the West Coast as an artificial reef. She is
resting on her port side in 100 feet of water just 1.85 miles west of
Mission Beach. She is in a location that is accessible for both divers
and fisherman, which makes her a favorable recreational area.
Sunken warships are not that unique because most are spontaneously placed
by an act of war or weather. In many cases ships are sunk too deep for
any person to visit. Because of her ideal location and easy access, the
Yukon has already become a popular attraction. Dive shops in the Beach
and Bay area have seen a dramatic increase in sales since the sinking.
Some have testified that their businesses have doubled their profits since
last season. Dive enthusiasts from around the country have said that the
sinking of the Yukon has made San Diego the premier dive site on the West
Coast, no where else can you find such diving diversity. |
- Project Yukon Web Page contains background information about the project. Visit this website to read all about the project from conception to implementation!
- ACTION ALERT! - Contact your representatives today and ask them to support the conversion of decommissioned Navy ships into properly planned and executed artificial reefs.
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