PHUKET TOURISM
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Ten decommissioned military aircraft are being dumped in the Andaman sea, about three kilometres off Phuket, to create an artificial reef for divers.
Dubbed the "Coral Reef Squadron", the skeletons of four DC-4 Dakotas used in the Korean and Vietnam wars, and six Sikorsky S-58T helicopters are being sunk near Koh Weaw.
The operation, run by TDN Diving Association (Thailand), was initiated by the For Sea Foundation shortly after the tsunami struck the Andaman coastal provinces in 2004, causing grave damage to coral reefs in the area.
It aims to create new diving sites to replaced those destroyed by the tsunami, and to ease the tourist load on existing natural coral reefs.
TDN Diving president Phongsak Poupornphong said strong currents were a concern for the operation, which is expected to take seven days to complete.
"We have to closely monitor weather forecasts and satellite images to check the sea conditions," he said.
If the weather is fine his team will be able to sink up to three planes each day. Each is attached to a five-tonne concrete block to anchor it.
The artificial reef will be in the shape of an octagon, with two planes in the middle, and will cover about 2,500 square metres at depths of 15 to 20 metres.
Vittayen Muttamara, secretary of the For Sea Foundation, said the new reef would attract marine animals and become a new attraction for divers from around the world.
He said the stripped planes would pose no hazard to the marine environment. The frames were largely aluminium, which is resistant to salt water, and coral grows well on it.
Marine scientists from Prince of Songkla University will monitor the project.
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