http://www.record-eagle.com/2007/aug/13sinkboat.htm
Divers think a new shipwreck can raise a sinking economy
By Brian Mcgillivary
bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com
photo Special to the Record-Eagle
Area diving enthusiasts hope to sink the 85-foot-long Togue in West Bay as a diving attraction.
TRAVERSE CITY West Grand Traverse Bay could have a new shipwreck equipped with an underwater camera if diving enthusiasts can convince Grand Traverse County to take ownership of a retired trawler.
The Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve Council made a request to the county Parks and Recreation Commission to ask the federal government for the Togue, an 85-foot trawler previously used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service for research and fish planting on the Great Lakes. As a pilot study, the Togue would be downed in one of five possible locations in the southern third of West Bay south of Power Island in 60 to 90 feet of water.
"Our economy is in the waste basket and this is something that will draw national attention and bring people into Traverse City, said Jack Spencer of Scuba North. "Any place they have sunk a wreck it has really boosted the local economy tremendously.
Brad VanDommelen of the Traverse City Convention and Visitor's Bureau said case studies show sinkings increase tourism, and not just in the summer.
"Once you get down past the thermocline the water temperature is about the same summer or winter, VanDommelen said. "As a certified diver myself I know people do travel to good dive sites.
Just two vessels have been intentionally sunk in the Great Lakes off Michigan's shores and both are in Lake Superior. Greg MacMaster, president of the local council, said in addition to creating another wreck to dive on, the Togue will become a scientific platform to study the effects of intentional sinkings in the Great Lakes.
"We will document it from the start and monitor it for both economic and scientific value, MacMaster said. "We'll equip it with sensors and put a camera down there to monitor fish populations.
Under state law, Grand Traverse Bay must first be designated an underwater preserve by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality before the sinking of a single ship is allowed. The designation, which is about six months away, puts restrictions on the taking of underwater artifacts but doesn't restrict other activities such as boating or fishing, said Tom Graf, a specialist with the DEQ in Lansing.
The county parks commission tabled discussion on owning the Togue until it can garner more information about liability and the impact of increased recreational activity on the bay, parks Director Tim Schreiner said.
"The commissioners want to make sure no one will be stepping on anybody else's toes out there, he said.
Divers think a new shipwreck can raise a sinking economy
By Brian Mcgillivary
bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com
photo Special to the Record-Eagle
Area diving enthusiasts hope to sink the 85-foot-long Togue in West Bay as a diving attraction.
TRAVERSE CITY West Grand Traverse Bay could have a new shipwreck equipped with an underwater camera if diving enthusiasts can convince Grand Traverse County to take ownership of a retired trawler.
The Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve Council made a request to the county Parks and Recreation Commission to ask the federal government for the Togue, an 85-foot trawler previously used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service for research and fish planting on the Great Lakes. As a pilot study, the Togue would be downed in one of five possible locations in the southern third of West Bay south of Power Island in 60 to 90 feet of water.
"Our economy is in the waste basket and this is something that will draw national attention and bring people into Traverse City, said Jack Spencer of Scuba North. "Any place they have sunk a wreck it has really boosted the local economy tremendously.
Brad VanDommelen of the Traverse City Convention and Visitor's Bureau said case studies show sinkings increase tourism, and not just in the summer.
"Once you get down past the thermocline the water temperature is about the same summer or winter, VanDommelen said. "As a certified diver myself I know people do travel to good dive sites.
Just two vessels have been intentionally sunk in the Great Lakes off Michigan's shores and both are in Lake Superior. Greg MacMaster, president of the local council, said in addition to creating another wreck to dive on, the Togue will become a scientific platform to study the effects of intentional sinkings in the Great Lakes.
"We will document it from the start and monitor it for both economic and scientific value, MacMaster said. "We'll equip it with sensors and put a camera down there to monitor fish populations.
Under state law, Grand Traverse Bay must first be designated an underwater preserve by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality before the sinking of a single ship is allowed. The designation, which is about six months away, puts restrictions on the taking of underwater artifacts but doesn't restrict other activities such as boating or fishing, said Tom Graf, a specialist with the DEQ in Lansing.
The county parks commission tabled discussion on owning the Togue until it can garner more information about liability and the impact of increased recreational activity on the bay, parks Director Tim Schreiner said.
"The commissioners want to make sure no one will be stepping on anybody else's toes out there, he said.
