Canada sinks retired Boeing 737 off Vancouver Island to create artificial reef
A decommissioned Boeing 737 was sunk off the coast of Vancouver Island in 2006 to serve as an artificial reef. The project, led by the ARSBC, involved extensive environmental cleaning to ensure the aircraft would support marine life without causing pollution.
Why it matters
It demonstrates innovative methods for repurposing industrial waste into environmental assets that support biodiversity.
A Boeing 737 aircraft that was originally the part of the Canadian Airlines fleet now lies nearly 90 feet underwater and serves the role of an artificial reef for marine life. The 100-foot jet was decommissioned by Air Canada due to age and structural problems, stripped of all usable components and the airframe was donated to the ARSBC. It was sunk by the ARSBC near Chemainus, BC on January 14, 2006.A jet to a reefNow known as Xihuw, it was donated by Qwest Airparts of Memphis, Tennessee, through the efforts of Air Canada. Xihuw, is the Hul'qumi'num word for the red sea urchins that used to live in abundance in these waters but whose population has dwindled, sadly, due to pollution and over-fishing. The first step began with a phone call from Fraser MacLean of Air Canada in November 2002.
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