An incredible piece of artwork created from one of the last surviving ships to make it out of Pearl Harbour is forming the backdrop for a new artificial reef.
Virgin entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson backed the project, which saw an 80 foot (25 metre) steel sculpture of a Kraken mounted to the rusting Kodiak Queen, a former US Navy Fuel Barge, and sunk to the ocean floor.
Stunning images of the vessel, and it’s voyage to the bottom of the sea, taken by the former marine mechanic who dreamt up the project have revealed its breathtaking journey.
An incredible piece of artwork created from one of the last surviving ships to make it out of Pearl Harbour is forming the backdrop for a new artificial reef
The Kodiak Queen forms the centrepiece of a unique new dive site called The Maverick BVI Art Reef, located just off Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
The historic vessel, known during the war as YO-44, was primed to be scrapped for metal before Owen Buggy found it and saved it from its demise.
Mr Buggy envisioned sinking the ship as an artificial reef and started doing some research.
He quickly discovered the Kodiak Queen wasn’t a normal fishing trawler but instead a piece of World War Two history.
A former Virgin employee, Mr Buggy contacted his old boss Sir Richard Branson, who decided to purchase the ship and back the scheme.
In a written statement, Sir Richard said: ‘This charitable project combines art, ocean conservation, world history, marine science, economy, education and – most importantly – play.
Virgin entrepreneur Richard Branson backed the project, which saw an 80 foot (25 metre) steel sculpture of a Kraken mounted to the rusting Kodiak Queen, a former US Navy Fuel Barge, and sunk to the ocean floor
The historic vessel, known during the war as YO-44, was primed to be scrapped for metal before Owen Buggy found it and saved it from its demise
Like thousands of other anonymous Navy vessels which served in peace and in war, she performed the everyday mundane tasks that keep a fleet afloat
Sir Richard Branson attended the sinking ceremony in April where he broke a bottle on the hull, just like a traditional ship launch
‘I’ve always found I learn best when I’m playing.
‘This reef will allow people to experience the wonder of the ocean and its species up close, while having the time of their lives.
‘That way, what they learn will stay with them and affect them deeply, and hopefully turn into more action to conserve the ocean.
THE KODIAK QUEEN AT PEARL HARBOUR
The Kodiak Queen, known as YO-44 during World War Two, is a US Navy Fuel Barge launched in September of 1940.
Like thousands of other anonymous Navy vessels which served in peace and in war, she performed the everyday mundane tasks that keep a fleet afloat.
But the humble ship was there on one important day, in a battle which changed the course of world history.
The YO-44 was in the attack on Pearl Harbour, and lived to tell the tale.
The Kodiak Queen, known as YO-44 during World War Two, is a US Navy Fuel Barge launched in September of 1940. The humble vessel was in the attack on Pearl Harbour, and lived to tell the tale
The ship is believed to one of just five surviving ships which were at the infamous battle.
Just before 8am on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes descended on the naval base, near Honolulu, Hawaii.
It was a devastating surprise attack by Japanese forces, which managed to destroy or damage nearly 20 US naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and over 300 planes.
More than 2,400 Americans died in the attack, including civilians, and another 1,000 people were wounded.
It changed the course of World War Two, with President Franklin D Roosevelt asking Congress to declare war on Japan the day after the attack, bringing the US into the conflict for the first time.
The Kodiak Queen forms the centrepiece of a unique new dive site called The Maverick BVI Art Reef, located just off Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands
‘I’m sure it will be one of the most unique dive sites in the world.’
Sir Richard attended the sinking ceremony in April where he broke a bottle on the hull, just like a traditional ship launch.
It is hoped the submerged ship will kick-start a thriving reef ecosystem through innovative and effective coral restoration techniques.
Mr Buggy envisioned sinking the ship as an artificial reef and started doing some research. He quickly discovered the Kodiak Queen wasn’t a normal fishing trawler but instead a piece of World War Two history. Here the boat is tugged to the drop site
A former Virgin employee, Mr Buggy contacted his old boss Sir Richard Branson, who decided to purchase the ship and back the scheme. Here is it pictured before being sunk
It is hoped the now submerged ship will kick-start a thriving reef ecosystem through innovative and effective coral restoration techniques. The ship is pictured here from the rear before being sunk
Mike Cochran, a historian, had previously stumbled across the ship in 2012 when sailing the BVI. Mr Cochran’s interest in historical artefacts led him to put together a webpage dedicated to the history of the ship. This image shows the ship as it begins to sink
The project will also help to rehabilitate heavily over-fished marine population.
A special focus will be on bringing back vulnerable species of Grouper, such as the Goliath Grouper.
Mike Cochran, a historian, had previously stumbled across the ship in 2012 when sailing the BVI.
Mr Cochran’s interest in historical artefacts led him to put together a webpage dedicated to the history of the ship and to make a call-out to the world to preserve this piece of history.
The humble ship was there on one important day, in a battle which changed the course of world history. The YO-44 was in the attack on Pearl Harbour, and lived to tell the tale. It is hoped that sinking it, pictured here, will ensure its legacy lives on
The ship is believed to one of just five surviving ships which were at the infamous battle. Just before 8am on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes descended on the naval base, near Honolulu, Hawaii. Here it is seen moments before being totally submerged
Mr Cochran assembled all the information he could about the ship in hopes someone, like Mr Buggy, would stumble across the website and be inspired. Here it is seen inundated with water, moments from sinking
After finding the website, Mr Buggy put together an initial document to present to his Sir Richard on how much impact the project could have. This image shows the final moments of the sinking of the ship
He assembled all the information he could find in hopes someone, like Mr Buggy, would stumble across the website and be inspired.
After finding the website, Mr Buggy put together an initial document to present to his Sir Richard on how much impact the project could have.
Sir Richard called on help from a new foundation he was forming called Unite BVI, whose aim is to have a positive impact in the area.
Sir Richard called on help from a new foundation he was forming called Unite BVI, whose aim is to have a positive impact in the area. This image shows divers exploring the now submerged Kodiak Queen
Construction on the artwork element of the project began in January, before the sinking ceremony in April. Here the Kraken sculpture is seen on the ocean floor
The project will also help to rehabilitate heavily over-fished marine population. A special focus will be on bringing back vulnerable species of Grouper, such as the Goliath Grouper
Construction on the artwork element of the project began in January, before the sinking ceremony in April.
Since that time, visitors have begun to explore the unique ecosystem on offer.
The Maverick Art Park reef and eco-dive site should become fully self-supporting by 2018.
A portion of dive tourism proceeds will go to reef health maintenance, marine science research and education and community programs for children in the BVI.
Since the sinking, visitors have begun to explore the unique ecosystem on offer. The Maverick Art Park reef and eco-dive site should become fully self-supporting by 2018. This image shows one of the first dive teams on the day of the sinking
A portion of dive tourism proceeds will go to reef health maintenance, marine science research and education and community programs for children in the BVI. This image shows a dive team member standing atop the bow of the ship