A ship built as a prop for Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean films has been deliberately sunk off the coast of Florida to become an artificial reef and new dive attraction.
The 30 metre (97ft) long steel vessel, which was constructed to represent the pirate ship Black Pearl, was scuttled off Panama City Beach in late November, where it now rests in around 22m (75ft) of water.
The sinking forms part of a long-running artificial reef programme in the area, which has seen hundreds of structures placed on the seabed to support marine life and reduce pressure on natural reefs.
The ship was prepared for its new underwater role after being towed from Alabama, with local teams ensuring it was environmentally safe prior to sinking.
Decorative features, including several cannon, flags, a ship’s wheel and a treasure chest, were added by students from Tom P. Haney Technical College to create an engaging site for divers while providing a complex structure for marine organisms to colonise.
‘This was designated for a movie prop, so it did not have a lot of the grease buildup, the engine, the fuel, everything that is required to remove for artificial reefs,’ said Erin Graham, artificial reef coordinator at Visit Panama City Beach. ‘So this was a prime artificial reef vessel.’
‘It’s a very safe, easy swim with a shallow depth,’ she added.
The model ship is now part of the region’s extensive network of artificial reefs, which are designed to attract fish, encourage coral growth, and boost local dive tourism.
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