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Sinking Ships… On Purpose?

June 7th, 2014 by Piper Smith

Yes! People actually sink ships for wreck diving sites, to create artificial reefs to stimulate oceanic environmental growth, and as professional, as well as commercial, training sites. Excessive heavy components are removed from the old ship, tow it to the place of sinkage, fill it’s compartments with water to prevent rolling, and it ready for demolition. Dynamite is used to blow holes in the ship (a process termed “scuttling”) in a way that allows the heavier parts of the ship to sink first so that the ship is sunk in the upright position! Cool, huh? Then it’s primed and ready for use!

A ship in the process of being scuttled.

A ship in the process of being scuttled.