Seems a waste of a good (prospective) wreck.

[Kay Dee]

Anyone know why this vessel not being sunk as an artificial reef in diving depths instead of in 'deep water'? Seems a waste.

Hawai'i Awards Contract to Sink the Historic Sailing Tanker Falls of Clyde

The famed sailing ship Falls of Clyde will finally leave Honolulu Harbor following the award of a $5 million contract for its removal, with ocean sin...

maritime-executive.com

 

[Jared0425]

Anyone know why this vessel not being sunk as an artificial reef in diving depths instead of in 'deep water'? Seems a waste.

Hawai'i Awards Contract to Sink the Historic Sailing Tanker Falls of Clyde

The famed sailing ship Falls of Clyde will finally leave Honolulu Harbor following the award of a $5 million contract for its removal, with ocean sin...

maritime-executive.com

I will hazard an answer and say that it is cheaper and requires less planning than if she was scuttled at diving depths. Essentially, much of the cleanup of the hull prior to sinking can be skipped. Its not like they can pick a spot without an environmental impact study. At least in deep water, her preservation will be longer than what she was on land.

 

[Kay Dee]

I will hazard an answer and say that it is cheaper and requires less planning than if she was scuttled at diving depths. Essentially, much of the cleanup of the hull prior to sinking can be skipped. Its not like they can pick a spot without an environmental impact study. At least in deep water, her preservation will be longer than what she was on land.

Interesting. Given what I imagine are very strict environmental laws in Hawaii, I would not have thought where they scuttled her had any / much bearing on the 'cleanliness' of the hulk. I would have thought only the extra work needed to make it 'safe' (very subjective term in this context) for diving would have added to the cleanliness cost part. But yes, many more other hoops to jump through if dropped in diving depths.

 

[Jared0425]

Interesting. Given what I imagine are very strict environmental laws in Hawaii, I would not have thought where they scuttled her had any / much bearing on the 'cleanliness' of the hulk. I would have thought only the extra work needed to make it 'safe' (very subjective term in this context) for diving would have added to the cleanliness cost part. But yes, many more other hoops to jump through if dropped in diving depths.

Hawaii's jurisdiction ends at 3 miles out from the coast. The federal jurisdiction goes out to 12 miles. Anything passed 12 miles out is international waters (ignoring EEZ). So scuttling the ship is Hawaii washing their hands of it and no diving groups have come forward to pay for the extensive cleaning of the hull (oils, for some reason asbestos, pfc's, and heavy metals) for recreational diving.

Also have to be aware of the bottom terrain before dropping a hull accidentally on a reef or altering fishing grounds/ current scours. Sad to see a historic vessel lose it's designation though. Museum ships just delay the inevitable for several decades.

 

[Kay Dee]

Got it. Thanks. So outta sight, outta mind, and f#%k the enviromemt 'cause it's dumped in international waters. Again, interesting.

But yes, given the size of the waves that batter grace Hawaiian shores, finding a suitable 'sheltered' place to scuttle her (for recreational diving) without stepping on someones toes would no doubt be a challenge (and a cost).