The MV Andrew Wilson, a 40-meter grab hopper dredger built in 1962, was deliberately sunk this morning off the coast of Marino.
The dredger will become the first vessel to be scuttled in South Australian waters in more than two decades – part of a major mission to help restore biodiversity.
Donated by Maritime Constructions, the dredger will be turned into an artificial reef around six kilometers off the coast of Brighton in Gulf St Vincent.
This initiative has been funded as part of the Australian and South Australian government’s $165 million investment in algal bloom response and recovery measures. This project is set to help with the restoration of marine life, while also creating a major drawcard for recreational divers.