Racha Yai, Phuket, Thailand

Environment

Scuba Cat Diving and Mike Stark (the original owner) created the first Artifical Reef at Racha Yai, 11th November 2000. The hull of a confiscated smuggling boat had been lying abandoned in a Phuket shipyard for years. This was a big boat, 34 meters long, and everything removable was long gone leaving behind a sterile and environmentally friendly potential artificial reef. A fair bit of work was involved patching the vessel for her final voyage, 15 years of shipyard fees paid and we were finally ready.

The Wreck, since named Marlas Mystery sits on the East Side of Racha Yai.

Plans are afoot to expand an artificial reef off the coast of Koh Racha Yai Island, south of Phuket.

Paitoon Panchaiyaphum, director of the Phuket based southern regional office of the Marine and Coastal Resources Conservation Department (MCRCD), said the artificial reef had been a great success since its construction three years ago.

The artificial reef currently comprises 300 concrete modules.

The office is planning to ask the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for a budget of 22 million baht to sink 3,000 more modules, expanding the reef structure tenfold.

The MCRCD also hopes to sink two boats donated by the The Racha resort on Koh Racha Yai.

We have since heard they plan to sink four boats, the first early next month, and to follow later some decommissioned army tanks.