Annapolis gets back on track!

[mustang_5l]

From the arsbc website:

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Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia​

ANNAPOLIS PROJECT TO RESUME​

Dear Friends, Volunteers and Supporters,As you can imagine, the story of the Annapolis Project is a complicated one on many levels andthe Reef Society has kept working diligently to make this project a success for Vancouver. Thishas been no easy task given the myriad of complicated project circumstances that the ARSBCmanagement continues to cautiously navigate through. We know this has been a long project inwaiting for everyone who spent time with us preparing the vessel. The hard work you providedthrough volunteerism to help prepare the Annapolis is sincerely appreciated and has paid off.Since the completion of the complex task of insulation removal from the ship in late June 2014,the Reef Society has met and exceeded the clean-up standards for the disposal of vessels atsea. We received our last and final federal permit issued by Environment Canada in earlyOctober 2014In our October 9, 2014 update, we wrote that the Reef Society remains confident in ourapplication to the Provincial Ministry of Environment, Parks Branch to receive the required parkuse-permit. This week, the BC Ministry of Environment authorized the sinking of Annapolis inHalkett Bay Provincial Marine Park. The Reef Society now has all of the required regulatoryauthorizations necessary to move forward with the project.In our update of August 28, 2014, we mentioned that we were unable to move forward with theproject because of the arrest that had been placed on the Annapolis at the request of Wes Rootsof W.R. Marine Services. We were unable to resolve that dispute outside of court.A Federal Court hearing was held on November 4, 2014 following which the Court ruled in theARSBC’s favour and ordered that the Annapolis be released from arrest so to the project maymove forward. The Annapolis is no longer under arrest.Once sunk, the Annapolis will be the most comprehensively prepared naval ship in our fleet ofunderwater dive attractions designed for all diver skill levels. Advanced features will include anenhanced diver access and egress cutting plan, a multitude of diver routes, through ways andover-head passage ways, large and wide open engine to boiler room connected accessfor adventure seeking wreck trained divers to experience the cool factor interior of Annapolis.New ideas will include 3 heavy duty tie-up mooring floats, 2 specially designed aluminum safetystop stations, poly steel and travel lines connected at three points on the ship, easy deck to deckaccess and interior signage to exit points.We are pleased to share with you that the path is now cleared for the Annapolis to become thefirst major artificial reef in Vancouver located in Halkett Bay Provincial Marine Park. The work ofpreparing the ship before sinking is now the focus and we will be renewing our call for your helpin the days and weeks to come.As always, if you would like more information please do not hesitate to contact us directly.Thank you,Howie RobinsPresident​

 

[Canadave]

Great news! Sorry San Diego, the Annapolis is staying where she belongs.

Finally a local artificial wreck for us mainlanders that won't involve an expensive ferry ride.

Hopefully local Vancouver dive community answers the final call for volunteers and comes out in force so this thing gets sunk while I am still relatively young.

 

[drbill]

While at one point we were thinking it might come to Catalina, I'm actually glad to see it staying where so much effort was put into preparing her.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Good Luck in retaining the project; we're ready to pounce on it for a hostile take-over by California Ships to Reef Foundation should y'all crazy Canucks falter once more. Actually, I hope they can take it away and put it in San Diego (and do feel free to visit your precious Lord Stanley's Cup residing here in Los Angeles as well). . .

 

[drbill]

I'm a fan of California Ships-to-Reefs too, and this would have been a great addition to Sandy Eggo or Catalina, but a lot of people put a lot of work into the Annapolis way up north.

 

[M.HARDY]

Awsome Howie!!

 

[vancouverdiver]

Good Luck in retaining the project; we're ready to pounce on it for a hostile take-over by California Ships to Reef Foundation should y'all crazy Canucks falter once more. Actually, I hope they can take it away and put it in San Diego (and do feel free to visit your precious Lord Stanley's Cup residing here in Los Angeles as well). . .

Stanley cup? Ouch. That's a low blow!!!!!