REEFMAKERS- Cleanup Concerns

Turning Obsolete Ships into Underwater Treasures

Ships have been a part of the underwater landscape for thousands of years. Since the advent of civilization hundreds of thousands of ships have sunk to the bottom of the world's oceans for many different reasons. Most of these ships were not cleaned of any of the fuel, oil or cargo that they contained as they went down. Despite this, many of these ships have become magical underwater ecosystems. The idea to intentionally deploy fully decontaminated, obsolete ships as marine habitat, research platforms, educational opportunities or recreational destinations is a relatively new one in human history. This idea has been refined by REEFMAKERS™

REEFMAKERS™ primary concern is that all of its projects are protective of the public health and the environment. REEFMAKERS™ projects are clean and well researched to provide the maximum benefit to host communities both environmentally and economically. The REEFMAKERS™ method exists for these purposes. REEFMAKERS™ professionally executed, turn-key process ensures the highest level of success as an artificial reef.

Obsolete ships that are tied to a pier or anchored in some forgotten bay are considered environmental liabilities. The REEFMAKERS™ process safely turns these unwanted ships into wonderful assets for coastal communities. The REEFMAKERS™ process meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements for cleanliness and stability in the marine environment.

REEFMAKERS™ credentials to this end are unmatched. REEFMAKERS™ has consulted with the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) on the forming of the Federal Best Management and Practices for the cleaning and preparation of ships. REEFMAKERS™ principals have been featured speakers at the International Ship Scrapping Symposium. The Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA), the recreational SCUBA diving industry trade group has had REEFMAKERS™ teaming partners giving lectures on the benefits of “ships to reefs” for years. REEFMAKERS™ is now co-authoring policy on this issue for the industry.

Human beings have been altering their environment since the time of the hunter-gatherers. For the most part, this activity has been undertaken for the purpose of making the world safer and to provide easier access to food. The idea of altering the environment to make it better for the environment's sake is a brand new one in terms of human history.

Clean up Concerns