Car reef

[jaybombs25]

Has anyone ever dove the car piles in Grenada or Curacao?? What were they like? Did they look successful?? Was there coral growth and creatures on the wrecks themselves?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm thinking of pursuing a project and wanted to find out whether it would be worthwhile. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have never been there, but one issue with cars in salt water is that unlike a ship's hull, a car body is thin gauge stamped steel and would rust through fairly quickly. Unless of course you used Corvettes or Deloreans.

 

[427Dave]

There was a Ford Van in Saint Martin I dove on some years ago. It was full of yellow tail snapper inside. There was not much growth on it, but I do not remember how long it had been there, it was blue. I worked in Curacao in the 70's but I am guessing the cars were not there then or we would have dove the site. Sounds like a interesting project.

 

[jaybombs25]

It would be MUCH cheaper than sinking a ship, I think however, we would also look into getting some boulders in there also to help facilitate the process of coral growth. They will also provide permanent dwellings that will not collapse or rust through

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Old concrete culverts would work well too. And virtually no cleanup required.

 

[Damselfish]

I don't recall what the growth was like on the Curacao carpile (think I dove it around 92) but I do know a pile of cars underwater doesn't do much for me. I'd rather see an artificial reef made of boulders, concrete junk, or something that would look a bit more natural. A pile of cars just looks like junk to me no matter what lives there.

 

[ReefHugger]

I have been involved in the building of car and tyre reefs. My recommendation is go ahead with your project - they work. In the ones in which I was involved, we chose an area that had no natural reefs, and they did provide cover for fishes to breed and grow. In short order, the fishermen had pots all around, but then we had built the artificial reefs for them. Taking car wrecks out to the desired location on canoes was HAIRY - definitely not recommended. Also, tyres should not be put down loosely, but has to be lashed together in modules, which in turn are also attached. The tyres themselves have to be bored (1"-1 1/2" holes) so that all air will escape. A lot of work but worthwhile. The car wrecks were still going strong after 5-6 yrs but were eventually removed by a hurricane - so choose your site carefully. And also, your team - experience, well thought out and briefed!

IMO, I really don't see any negatives.

 

[Gary D.]

We have a training car we sink every so often. It is not much more than a Ford Pinto Wagon shell with a steering front end and a trailer axle in the rear. Even at that the environmental people have a fit when we sink it because we are polluting the planet.

Just a heads up that depending where you are you may be in for some flack and/or legal issues.

On the tire issue aren’t they making people clean those up?

Gary D.

 

[jaybombs25]

Reef hugger, how many cars did you guys use?.. Did the reef attract fish from other areas or did it seem that the fish there were predominantly being bred and raised on the wrecks. How long did it take before the reef looked like it was taking shape and being functional?.. How much did it cost you guys? How exactly did you get the cars out to the site? Also did you tell many people or was it sort of a secret side project kind of thing?

Thanks

 

[ReefHugger]

Jaybombs, don't know if any of Gary D's comments apply to you, but here in Jamaica it wasn't an issue.

I should mention that this was nearly 30 yrs ago. We sank 3 cars at 50' and 2 at 60' (separate locations). It was done openly as a club project. In fact it was a dual project - in addition to the reef aspect we were also clearing the road of abandoned wrecks (a Labour day project). Two were donated by grateful owners. Within weeks the usual small reef fishes took up residence - squirrels, blackbar soldierfishes, hinds, and high hats. After about 4 months, we even had 30" groupers.

The tyre reef was much more extensive and was continuous for quite a while. They have to be put down in modules and not individually or they'll start reappearing all over the place and be a hazard (I think this is what Gary D was referring to). I have some recent pics of the tyre reef which shows sponges and a small amout of coral, notwithstanding the adverse coral conditions. If you are interested in the pics, PM me with your direct email address (don't know how to post pics here - I have none on any public site).