Watch: Smugglers’ ship sunk to make artificial reef

MV Shingle was seized by the Irish authorities in 2014 with 32 million contraband cigarettes and 4.5 tons of tobacco, with a street value of about €14 million.

The vessel had sailed from Slovenia to Portugal before being intercepted near the Port of Drogheda, just north of the Irish capital of Dublin.

It was a toxic ship regardless of its cargo, with asbestos and other pollutants on board, and after being moored at Dublin for some years and deteriorating without being sold, berthing fees and other costs rendered it financially non-viable for the 60m steel-hulled cargo vessel to remain there. Campaign group Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef and the local authorities raised €2 million over several years to carry out the preparation, tow and scuttling at Killala Bay in County Mayo, which was done the day she arrived.

Surrounded by RIBs, speed boats, kayaks, other sight-seeing vessels, and the tug that towed her to Enniscrone Harbour, MV Shingle was sunk in about two hours after opening the valves, and she dropped  to the seabed about 30 miles deep, about 4km out to sea.

Mayo County Council believes the costs of renovation, tow and sinking will be recovered from tourism and marine research visitors to the area within three years.

“Mayo County Council are delighted to be part of this exciting development in Killala Bay,” said chief executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly. “The creation of Ireland’s first marine artificial reef is a new and exciting initiative and is a testament to the power of partnership and the dedication of all involved in getting it to this exciting stage.”