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News Release

B.C.-BASED ARTIFICIAL REEF FIRM TAKES EXPERTISE
TO THE WORLD

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Canadian Artificial Reef Consulting, headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia, has been formed to market local expertise in the innovative reuse of vessels as artificial reefs.

"For years British Columbia has been a world leader in artificial reef creation and it is time to apply that experience in other jurisdictions," said Jay Straith, who will lead Canadian Artificial Reef Consulting as president. "We have assembled a team of experts in procurement, recycling, safety, placement and permitting and are in the final stages of negotiating our opening contracts."

The concept of reusing retired naval vessels is familiar in the coastal waters of British Columbia. Principals of the Canadian Artificial Reef Consulting have placed five vessels, including four decommissioned Canadian Naval vessels, in the Straight of Georgia between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island and one vessel in the Sechelt Inlet north-west of Vancouver. Beyond British Columbia, company principals have advised and managed a dozen artificial reef projects from California to Australia and from Quebec to New Zealand.

"We have formalised our association because we believe there is tremendous opportunity to take our Canadian expertise to the world," added Straith. "In the United States, alone, there are more than 400 decommissioned navy vessels awaiting disposal and we have the knowledge and experience to move those ships."

Reefing a ship, the process of recycling an existing vessel and then placing it in coastal waters is an exacting process. Canada first developed standards for the cleaning and placement of such vessels 15 years ago in response to grassroots scuba divers in British Columbia. Those standards have since been adopted in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

"There are relatively few options for governments seeking to dispose of surplus vessels and we are acutely aware of damage less responsible means of disposal can inflict on the environment," concluded Straith. "Our process is safe, cost-effective and beneficial to coastal communities and the marine environment."

Information about Canadian Artificial Reef Consulting and its principals is available on line at www.artificialreefs.net.

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