We Sank A Giant Barge! Onboard Cameras Capture The Seafloor Impact.

UWPICVID
UWPICVID
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Published 2024-05-31
How we intentionally sunk a barge in the ocean that was nearly 200 feet long! This video shows a point of view perspective from the crew aboard the vessel during its last moments afloat at sea.

00:00 We are going to sink this barge
00:20 Climbing onto the barge
01:08 Deploying the massive barge anchor
01:30 Preparations for vessel sinking
02:23 Pumping water into the barge
03:06 Onboard sink camera locations
04:00 The ship is sinking
04:30 Ocean water rushing into the wheelhouse
06:10 Seafloor impact and sunken vessel underwater camera views
07:30 Why did we sink the barge
07:45 Another sunken ship becomes a reef
08:04 Project planning and artificial reef preparations
08:20 Walking the crane off the barge
08:44 The sunk vessel will create an underwater ecosystem

The process went something like this...
Once onboard, the sinking team opened holes along the sides of the barge to allow sea water to enter. Several high flow pumps were used to pump in enough water to lower the barge to the point where water entered the holes. Then pumps were removed, and at this point, the barge was sinking.

Check out the children's book "Spike The Tugboat." It is based on a real-life ship that was sunk to create an artificial reef. Written by video host Joe Kistel.
shop.lightningsource.com/b/085?ckqV47xPDFlA08VewQ8…

Just prior to departing the sinking ship, project coordinator and video host Joe Kistel turned on several onboard cameras to document the sinking. This video shows the intense and spectacular views these cameras recorded as the vessel succumbed to the ocean and sank to the seafloor. These cameras continued to record for quite some time while the barge was sitting on the ocean bottom. They captured some interesting activity including rust stained water pumping out of the access holes on the deck.

Offshore fishermen and scuba divers will appreciate the book "North Florida Reefs," a visual guide to the offshore fishing and diving locations of North Florida. Written by video host Joe Kistel. shop.lightningsource.com/b/085?hhfIxU6lnB77LL97WNl…

The sinking vessel project was a very involved effort with the motive to create marine habitat. The barge was properly prepared to an appropriate condition to use to create an artificial reef. It was sunk at a predetermined and surveyed location that is permitted for artificial reef material placements.

Within months the vessel will start to colonize with organisms such as corals and sponges. Multiple fish species will use the wreck for shelter and resources. Over time, the underwater world this sunken barge will give life to, will mimic the biological activity of nearby natural reef systems.

This project was made possible by the following:
Mobro Marine
Coastal Conservation Association Florida
The Cameron Smith Foundation
Kistel Media

A special thanks to the many others involved including:
The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office Dive Team - Dive and Sonar Ops
Nate Tucei of "Nassau WebDesign" - Dive Ops and Drone Imagery
Jacksonville Offshore Sports Fishing Club - Sink Day Vessel Support
Melissa Long - City of Jacksonville
Larry Davis - Video Production Support
Ed Kalakauskis
Darrin Willingham
Nautical Divers LLC - Sink day transport and dive ops

#ocean #scubadiving #sinkingships

Some of the song Atlantis was used in this video.
Atlantis by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
All Comments (21)
  • @wmden1
    I'm not a sea fairing person, but there is something inherently sad, but fascinating, at the same time, about viewing the sinking of a vessel that has floated and been useful for many years.
  • @Fred-gr1hp
    I really enjoyed your video. I was on the Y73 Tanker in Vietnam. I came back to the states before she was back here. I searched for years to see if I could find out what ever happened to her. Several years ago , I finally found out what happened to her. The y73 was brought back to the states,and now is a artificial reef off the coast of South Carolina near Charleston SC. I have watched several videos of divers around her. I can actually see the exact stairs that were next to my room and the porthole . I contacted a dive company , and the sent me a picture of the Y73 just before they sank her. I’m so proud to have served on the Y73 and for my country. I’m so happy that she was able to continue to be recycled for something that will help our oceans. If anyone wants to see the videos , just search for the Y73 reef and you will find the videos . Thank you for what you do.
  • @heli-crewhgs5285
    I’m pleased that you explained the false helm position. I did think that it looked odd on such a vessel.
  • @organickevinlondon
    THANKS to you and your crew for carefully researching a correct location for this artificial reef to create a much needed safe and protected environment for sea creatures and sea vegetation.
  • @robertlafnear7034
    In the end the Barge will be Consumed by the sea...... in the meantime it makes a wonderful Reef to A. Dive on, B. Attract Fish... and a fine fishin' hole after the fish arrive........ FINE JOB guys !👍👍👍👍
  • @mick0846
    I cant believe how clean the water stayed. They must have done a really good job preparing it
  • @daniellclary
    Cool to see that I was not the only kid that always wanted to see good footage of sinkings.
  • @MM-te8tz
    The coral growing on the sunk ship and all the fish swimming around it was overwhelmingly surprising and beautiful, well done. Clearly, the artificial reef project is a success. Maybe in a future project, a video before and after the sinking to better educate the success.
  • @Chris119.
    I’ve lived in Florida my whole life, and of course been out on the seas and beaches. There is still something that gives me anxiety about a ship sinking. Kind of a phobia maybe. Still really cool what you guys are doing, love seeing projects to help the oceans and marine life.
  • @glenpierce777
    Brilliant work, more reefs are needed all over the world.
  • @sendit7777
    Thats awesome. Love seeing this and how well it helps the marine habitat in an area. Plus, with all the coral that will grow on it. Thats going to help with co2 capture. Love it.
  • @QU1RKONE
    Great video. Thanks for sharing.
  • @jc4evur661
    Florida is doing something for the environment...Amazing!
  • @chcknmr
    “Roll under deep and dark blue ocean, roll. 10,000 fleets sweep over thee in vain. Man marks the earth with ruin. His control stops at the shore.”