Dubai police have created an artificial reef out of armoured cars - video

Dubai Police decided to repurpose old and worn-out armoured cars to create an artificial reef and another diving attraction. In this way, instead of ending up on the scrap heap as razor blades, the 15 vehicles have been given a chance at another life and will become the latest magnet for divers and a place for local wildlife to thrive.

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The Police Armoured Vehicles Artificial Reef Project was thus established. According to local officials, this is the first known instance of a uniformed service in the Middle East being involved in this type of action.

The case was initiated in 2012 by Major Obaid Mohammad Al Shamsi, who was inspired by an article on similar actions in other countries. Both the way they were carried out and the results were so promising that it was worth looking into the matter a little closer.

The project had been approved by the police and all the departments that needed to issue the relevant permits. Now all that remained was to choose a suitable location. Finally, after two months of searching, it was agreed that the wrecks would rest in the vicinity of the world famous The World Islands in Jumeirah.

The next step was to prepare the vehicles for dumping. This involved getting rid of all tyres, wiring, all fluids and items that could have an adverse effect on the environment. When this process was also completed, the vehicles were ready to be dumped.

The operation to sink 15 vehicles took a full day. Over the next 3 months, dive teams inspecting and checking the reef site observed the first underwater inhabitants settling into their new home. Given that there would be fish in the area at all, the whole project could begin to be considered a great success. In less than a year, 17 species of fish appeared that had never been observed in the area at all.

The artificial reef made of armoured cars covered an area of one nautical mile. The success of the entire project has sparked discussion and implementation of other similar projects in places with similar problems.

Source: gulfnews.com