Ark Royal aircraft carrier has chance to become artificial reef

The chances of the Royal Navy’s flagship, the Ark Royal, becoming a tourist attraction in UK coastal waters have increased. If the whole operation can be carried out successfully to completion, the aircraft carrier will become the second largest in the world, and the largest in Europe, ship turned into an artificial reef.

-- Advertisement --

The successful conclusion of this case will undoubtedly be a huge boost to the local economy, as was the case with HMS Scylla, sunk off Plymouth in 2004.

Torbay District Harbour Council, recently voted down a proposal for the aircraft carrier to rest 6mil of coastline, near the town of Devon.

The idea of using the Ark Royal, to the creation of a reef and attract tourists, originated from the local sailing club. And thanks to the charity Wreck the World, enough funds were raised to make a £3.5million bid for the vessel.

“The whole project is not straightforward and many difficulties are still piling up in front of us, but we now feel that we are heading in the right direction,” – Michael Byfield, charity organiser for the whole project, said.

According to the prepared plan, HMS Ark Royal, is to be accessible to all divers, regardless of their level of training. Therefore, it will start already at a depth of 10m. The organisers want to set the aircraft carrier on a keel, so that even inexperienced divers will be able to explore as much of its surface as possible.

The very place where it will be sunk, as well as the entire operation, will be preceded by measurements and calculations aimed at ensuring collision-free movement of other vessels in the area. The same applies to the environmental impact of placing such a colossus on the seabed. The priority is to help the marine fauna and flora to grow and flourish, as is usually the case near artificial reefs.

“It is a wonderful feeling to be able to let this vessel continue to guard our waters and thus give her a new life. This ship is a marvel and I can’t imagine it being scrapped or cut into razor blades,” Byfield said.

If all goes well for the project organisers, the creation of the aircraft carrier as a diving attraction will generate an estimated £10m in revenue for the local economy. The fate of HMS Ark Royal is not yet decided. The ship may become a museum or simply be scrapped.

Source: guardian.co.uk
Photo: wikipedia.org