How a Boeing 737 Became an Artificial Reef in Canada

The seabed can undergo remarkable ecological change, turning former human-made machinery into genuine underwater sanctuaries. Around the world, restoration schemes use industrial hulls to establish lasting refuges in which life thrives and helps restore the ocean in spectacular fashion.

How did a Boeing 737 end up on the seabed?

Built during the 1970s, the commercial jet logged thousands of flying hours with Canadian fleets before being permanently retired. Rather than disposing of its metal fuselage, volunteers spent years making a pioneering artificial reef project possible in coastal Canada.

The decommissioned aircraft was carefully placed near Chemainus, standing upright on robust supports on the underwater bed. The site had a sandy floor with little natural vegetation, making the huge structure ideal for anchoring species and attracting native fish.

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How did the aircraft become a marine habitat?

Soon after the controlled sinking, pioneering organisms began to colonise the aircraft’s outer and inner surfaces. Plumose anemones and brittle stars spread across the empty windows, while the cabin interior became a protected shelter from currents for small marine animals.

Because the fuselage was raised off the seabed, water could flow freely around it, producing favourable conditions for benthic invertebrates to develop. Over the years, the aluminium shell became fully incorporated into the local nature, operating as a dynamic submerged ecosystem.

Below is a video from the ScubaBC YouTube channel that explores the marine life on the artificial reef in detail:

What steps prepared the aircraft for submersion?

Before it was sent to the seabed, the aircraft underwent a thorough technical cleaning process. Specialists removed electrical wiring, hydraulic oils and thermal insulation to prevent toxic waste from being released, ensuring the complete safety of that aquatic environment.

Strategically placed openings were cut into the wings and cabin to allow gentle light in and maintain a continuous flow of water. These structural alterations supported biological colonisation and created safe routes for divers exploring this historic underwater heritage site.

Stages of ecological preparation

Steps for underwater life

The aircraft adaptation process involved essential measures:

1. Deep cleaning, including the removal of toxic paints and polluting materials;
2. Cutting broad access points into the fuselage to admit light and marine species;
3. Fitting raised supporting bases to stabilise the aircraft on the seabed.

Which organisms now live in the submerged jet?

A wide range of species has found an ideal place in the reef to feed and reproduce. More than one hundred types of organism have already been documented there, turning the former seats and wings into a lively habitat filled with marine biodiversity.

Large shoals of fish use the internal compartments as nurseries protected from larger predators, while octopuses occupy small gaps in the shell. The ongoing growth of sponges and anemones coats the surfaces in vivid colours, making the site a fascinating tourist destination.

The following list highlights the principal animal groups that have colonised the submerged structure:

• Giant anemones and sponges covering almost the whole outer fuselage;
• Bottom-dwelling fish using the shade beneath the wings as a constant refuge;
• Crustaceans and molluscs feeding on nutrients carried by marine currents.

Why is creating artificial reefs beneficial?

Installing artificial reefs reduces ecological pressure on vulnerable natural formations and encourages sustainable tourism. As well as supporting oceanographic research, the initiative shows that industrial waste can be given a useful purpose that supports marine conservation.

Twenty years after the project began, the former jet continues to thrive as a stable, productive refuge in the Pacific Ocean. This example underlines how environmental planning and engineering can work together to create new areas for ecological preservation across the planet.