Tenth Anniversary of Yukon Sinking

(Dive Travel Business News - July 19, 2010) -- On July 14, 2000 the San Diego Oceans Foundation, and its group of passionate volunteers led by DUI Chairman Dick Long, intentionally sunk the Canadian destroyer escort HMCS Yukon. Ten years later the HMCS Yukon has taken on a new life at the bottom of the ocean off North Mission Beach in San Diego as an artificial reef. Covered with invertebrates and encrusting organisms the ship is an ecologically sound marine habitat for a variety of aquatic life as well as an economic benefit to the area.

The Yukon is some 365 feet long and about 43 feet wide. Prior to sinking, the Yukon was cleaned of toxic and hazardous materials and large holes were cut into the sides for easy diver entry and exit. She lays on her side in about 90 to 100 feet of water, with the exposed starboard side located at the wreck's shallowest depth of about 56 feet.  There she has drawn thousands of divers during the last decade,

The original sinking site was part of an artificial reef complex consisting of three smaller wrecks called "Wreck Alley," a 512-acre underwater recreation area.  The seafloor is owned by the City of San Diego and the artificial reefs are administered by the California Department of Fish and Game.  These areas are open to fishing and diving.