 Group Hopes to Sink Warship in the St. Lawrence River
Posted by: Cindy on Dec 12, 2007 AD - 11:16 AM
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EOARA, the Eastern Ontario Artificial Reef Association, a non-profit group plans to sink a 372 foot decommissioned warship in South Eastern Ontario. The group's objectives for this artificial reef are to increase and improve Eastern Ontario's economic situation and tourism industry by attracting an additional 10,000 recreational scuba divers to the region in the first year following the sinking. These visitors will contribute an estimated additional $8 million in direct tourism revenues...
Diverting Diver Traffic
The reefing of the warship will relieve pressure on historic wrecks in the region. The wooden wrecks have deteriorated at an alarming rate over the last 5 years due to increased diver traffic in the region. The new dive site will relocate a majority of the diving activity away from the historic wrecks and on to the steel wreck of the artificial reef.
Freshwater Reef
Decommissioned warships are more complex in design and layout than any of the existing heritage shipwrecks in the region, offering far more niche opportunities for colonization of marine life. With the presence of environmental science programs at Queen's University, Royal Military College and St. Lawrence College, the 1000 Islands region could become a center of excellence for the study of freshwater aquatic communities on the artificial reef.
Enhanced Safety
The location of the artificial reef will divert diver traffic from popular sites that are currently in or near the St. Lawrence commercial shipping channel, reducing the chances of an accident.
Public Support
Over the past 2 years EOARA has met with numerous government agencies and municipalities to reach this stage in the project. There has been tremendous support from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries & Oceans, St. Lawrence Seaway Authority, Transport Canada Navigable Waters Protection, and neighbouring communities. The Eastern Ontario Artificial Reef Association says it hopes to sink the decommissioned HMCS Tera Nova by late 2009. To learn more visit: EOARA
Source: EOARA
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