How a Boeing 737 Became an Artificial Reef in Canada

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

How did a Boeing 737 end up on the seabed?

Built in the 1970s, the commercial jet logged thousands of flying hours with Canadian fleets before being permanently retired. Rather than scrapping 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 sturdy supports on the underwater floor. The site had a sandy seabed with little natural vegetation, making the vast structure ideal for anchoring species and attracting native fish.

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How did the aircraft become a marine habitat?

Soon after its controlled sinking, pioneering organisms began to colonise the aircraft’s outer and inner surfaces. Plumose anemones and brittle stars covered the empty windows, while the cabin interior started to provide secure shelter from currents for small marine animals.

The raised fuselage allowed water to flow freely through it, creating favourable conditions for bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Over the years, the aluminium shell became fully integrated into the local nature, operating as a dynamic submerged ecosystem.

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

What steps prepared the aircraft for submersion?

Before being 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.

Strategic openings were cut into the wings and cabin to allow gentle light in and provide continuous water flow. 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. Installing raised support bases to keep the aircraft stable on the seabed.

Which organisms currently inhabit the submerged jet?

A wide range of species have found the reef to be an ideal place for breeding and feeding. 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 continued growth of sponges and anemones coats the surfaces in intense colours, making the site a captivating tourist spot.

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

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

Why is creating artificial reefs beneficial?

Establishing artificial reefs eases 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 flourish 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.