Historic Milestone for the Irish: – We made it

On Wednesday afternoon, a significant event unfolded off Killala Bay, as Ireland sank its first ship to create an artificial reef.

Ashes to Ashes, Ship to Reef

After a decade as an unwanted hulk, September 18^th marked the end of the 60-meter-long ship MV Shingle. The vessel’s valves were opened, and the ship started a graceful descent towards the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The funeral-like event was witnessed by smaller boats surrounding the vessel. After 1.5 hours, the rusting vessel finally came to rest 29 meters below the surface.

The purpose of sinking the ship beneath the ocean surface is for the MV Shingle to serve as Ireland’s first artificial reef. The new underwater structure is intended to support the marine ecosystem and increase local tourism by attracting divers to the Irish west coast.

Michael Loftus, a local diver and key advocate from the Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club, has suggested the idea of creating a diving reef for years.

“It’s been a long, tough journey to get to this point,” Loftus shared in an interview with The Irish Times. “But thanks to the Revenue Commissioners, Mayo County Council, Sligo County Council, and my own committee [Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef], we’ve made it here.”

Don’t do the crime if you won’t do the under-water time

The vessel's final purpose, however, is far more noble than her former one. The ship was seized by Irish authorities in Drogheda, north of Dublin. The Customs and Revenue Commission stopped the vessel when it was found carrying cigarettes and tobacco worth €14 million.

However, with no scrap or resale value, the “The Rusting Hulk” remained in Dublin port for nine years. Since it was taken by the Irish authorities in 2014, the vessel has cost about €2 million in maintenance, berthing fees, and remedial work, which includes the removal of asbestos and residual oils.

Through an initiative led by Loftus himself, the vessel ended up being donated to create the artificial reef. Now, there is hope that the ship can redeem its criminal past by becoming a valuable resource for tourism in the years to come.

“We expect that this money they have spent on it will be paid back within three years from diving, tourism, fishing tourism, marine research,” he told RTÉ.