User:Chriswhitegibraltar

Gibraltars Artificial Reef

Gibraltars Artificial Reef known localy as "Erics Reef" was an initiative started in 1977 by Dr Eric Shaw of the Helping Hand Trust. Initialy experiments were tried with Tyres chained together but sand movement and currents proved to be too strong and washed the articles away or buried them. This was followed by sinking and monitoring cars. This included a Mercedes that was toed out behind a boat prior to being sunk. Finally boats and barges were to be donated by the port authority and local marinas. These boats were thoroughly cleaned and emptied of all pollutants prior to sinking and every location mapped. Erics reef has become a major attraction for both local and Spanish recreational divers. The lastest major addition will be the remains of the "New Flame" a mid sized bulk carrier that floundered of off europa point in 2007.