HMS Scylla
Plymouth, UK
 |
The former HMS Scylla midway through her
transformation. Diver access holes are visible along both the
port and starboard sides of the ship. |
After being in service for over thirty years, Scylla
returned to her homeport of Plymouth to begin her latest duty as
an artificial diving reef - the first of its kind in the UK.
Commissioned in 1970, HMS Scylla was the last frigate
to be built in Plymouth, and the UK
National Marine Aquarium, who has purchased the ship from the
Royal Navy, is pleased to announce that she is finally returning
home, where she will have a very different, but very important role.
Scylla arrived in Plymouth on Saturday 8th November
2003. Once in Plymouth Sound, local tugs took over and towed the
vessel to Devonport Royal Dockyard where essential conversion work
began in November.
After its smooth sinking, the Scylla now provides
a fantastic opportunity to watch a fascinating new habitat on the
seabed off Plymouth develop over the next few years. It will provide
homes to a wealth of under sea wildlife. Cutting edge technology
will enable the National Aquarium to show colonisation as it actually
takes place. It will be the ultimate reality programme as characters
move in and live out their lives.
Scylla brings with her a fascinating history spanning
the 1970's 'Cod Wars' and providing emergency relief teams to hurricane
stricken Cayman Brac. From spring 2004, she will take a different
course on the seabed off Whitsand Bay as an artificial reef which
will provide a unique ecosystem for recreational divers and offer
research potential for science and industry.
Canadian Artificial Reef Consulting provided its
expertise to the UK National Aquarium and transforming Scylla into
an artificial reef.
For more information:
|