A decommissioned Royal Navy warship was sunk by controlled explosions off the coast of southwest England on Saturday to create Britain’s first artificial diving reef.
The 2,500-ton frigate Scylla collapsed in a series of blasts in Whitsand Bay, about one kilometer off the coast of Cornwall, disappearing into the water under plumes of smoke in less than five minutes.
It is hoped the warship, built in 1968 and taken out of service in 1993, will attract a variety marine life and also lure tourists and divers to the area.
“Most of the other decommissioned ships I have served on have been sold for scrap...But I think this is a wonderful way to finish off a ship, it’s unique, it’s different,” Captain Mike Booth, the Scylla’s last commanding officer, told BBC television.
“She’s got a fabulous, exciting life ahead of her so in my point of view she’s going on her next commission really,” he said.
The National Marine Aquarium, which purchased the frigate, said the site should provide a million pound-boost ($1.82 million) to the local economy by drawing divers and marine conservationists.
Marine life should be attracted to the new reef, about 25 meters under water, within days and abundant sea life should colonize the wreck within six months, according to the Artificial Reef Consortium.