HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ANNAPOLIS!

Today is my birthday! YAY! BUT - more exciting..... The first anniversary of the sinking of the former HMCS Annapolis in Howe Sound!

Seeing as I consider the Annapolis to be my birthday wreck, it's kinda fitting that we talk about how awesome the Artificial Reef program is. Dude, they sink old ships for divers and sea life. The most fitting final use for these amazing vessels.

The Annapolis was a 366 foot destroyer class warship, and was lovingly prepared for sinking as an artificial reef by staff and volunteers by The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia. When we say lovingly prepared, we mean every item that could pose a threat to a diver (cabling, insulation, entanglement items, etc.) that could be reasonably removed was removed, items that were considered to be environmental hazards were removed, instruments were removed, doors were bolted open, access hatches were cut all over the ship - it's not a small undertaking!

We were lucky enough to dive her twice in the past year, both times we saw little critters starting to take hold and make their homes on the wreck. You can still check out the engine room with its massive gears, there are still heads in there (toilets!), some furniture, signage, and some art installations on the top deck too that were installed just before sinking!

Check out the official ARSBC Info page on the Annapolis here.

Happy First Birthday Annapolis! To celebrate, here's a little video of the Annapolis going down a year ago today, thanks to Geoff Grognet!