Efforts to sink former tobacco-smuggling ship to create reef is a step closer with planning decision
It is hoped, once sunk, the MV Shingle would become a habitat to support marine life. Photo: RTÉ
A plan to create Ireland’s first artificial reef by sinking a smuggling ship seized by the Revenue Commissioners has moved a step closer.
The project has been granted Maritime Area Consent for the stretch of sea in Killala Bay off Co Mayo where it is hoped the MV Shingle can be scuttled.
Once on the seabed, the trawler-turned tobacco-smuggling vessel would become a habitat for marine plant and animal life.
Fish and other creatures are quick to colonise man-made structures that mimic natural rock formations.
The MV Shingle’s varied internal spaces would provide shelter while its exterior would make a stable base for plants and other creatures to anchor themselves.
Mayo county councillor and life-long scuba diver Michael Loftus said the hope was that the ship would become an important research resource for marine scientists and an attraction for divers.
“A lot of countries have created artificial reefs by sinking ships and other structures and they’ve worked very well,” he said.
“Marine life is drawn to them and they can help with conservation efforts for particular species. They’re also wonderful to visit for divers and they’re good for boosting fishing too.”
Many ships that have sunk by accident around the Irish coast have become habitats over time, but initially they will have caused pollution and damage because of on-board fuel stores and dangerous cargo.
The MV Shingle has been gutted and cleaned so all environmental hazards have been removed.
“It’s a skeleton, really, at this stage, so it won’t cause any harm,” Mr Loftus said.
The ship’s history is a troubled one, and it has spent the last 10 years in state custody with an uncertain future.
It was seized as part of a law enforcement operation against cigarette smugglers and spent years in limbo in Dublin Port before being moved to New Ross for cleaning.
“What often happens is that ships have to be sent abroad for stripping and dismantling and then whatever materials that can be salvaged from them are recycled,” Mr Loftus said.
“That all costs a lot of money. This ship has already cost the taxpayer money just keeping it in dry dock. Taking it to Mayo would be a cheaper option than sending it abroad.”
A group of divers and other interested parties have formed a company, Ship 2 Reef, to pursue the project. They have already spent thousands of euro of their own money preparing the plan.
The hope is to have the ship sunk this summer, but there are still some procedural and planning hurdles to clear. Revenue, which still holds the ship, said it could not give further details at this stage.
“Revenue continues to consult with representatives from Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd, with a view to them taking ownership of the MV Shingle and sinking it in Killala Bay as part of local initiatives along the Mayo coastline,” a spokesperson said.
