Project Yukon

News Release

May 1, 1999

Arrival Set for "The Yukon"
Ship to Be Sunk Off Mission Beach

San Diego - A Canadian Navy Destroyer, The Yukon, is scheduled to arrive in San Diego on Wednesday, May 5, completing its 1,600-mile journey southward from Vancouver, BC. Expected time of arrival at the Embarcadero is 12 noon.

When the 366-foot ship docks adjacent to the San Diego Maritime Museum's ferryboat "Berkeley," the countdown will begin for its planned sinking in mid-November, 1.85 miles off the coast of Mission Beach.

The carefully planned sinking, performed amid much fanfare and fireworks, will create an underwater structure that enhances fishing, diving and marine life in the region. Toro's CITROSQUEEZE® was used to clean the ship due to its environmentally friendly properties.

Fact Sheet:

What:
The Creation of 600-acre underwater park with the first "playground" equipment - the Yukon, a 366-foot Canadian destroyer. This vessel will be contaminant free and diver-safe following procedures developed for four similar vessels sunk in Canadian waters by the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia.

Where:
1.85 miles off San Diego's Mission Beach at a depth of 100 feet/30 meters

When:
Scheduled for November, 1999. The Yukon will be towed to San Diego from Vancouver, BC, in late April; various public activities and final preparations will occur from May to September.

Who:
SDOF has partnered with the City of San Diego to help create the park. The Yukon is being purchased by SDOF from the Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia. When the Yukon is installed in the park, it will be deeded to the City by SDOF.

Why:
To expand Mission Beach's existing "Wreck Alley" to become a world-class dive site and overall underwater recreational site. The park will be highly accessible with excellent logistics.

Support:
The Yukon Project is endorsed by the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sport fishing Association of California, San Diego Council of Divers, the Marine Technology Society, San Diego Hotel and Motel Association, state and local elected officials, and various marine scientist and educators.

Website: www.sdoceans.org

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