Peter Symes

Howie Robins at the NW Dive Expo in Tacoma, WA

Howard Robins is president of the Artificial Reef Society of British Colombia whicgh is about to sink it biggest warship yet, the ex HMCS Annapolis, just outside Vancouver - a project that suddenly were met with some opposition from local residents.

The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia, ARSBC, is a non-profit society based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Our mission is to create environmentally- and economically-sustainable "artificial reefs" in British Columbia and around the world for the enjoyment of Scuba Divers, and for the protection of environmentally- and historically-sensitive marine habitats.

Since 1991, the ARSBC has sunk 6 ships and one Boeing 737 in B.C.!

The ARSBC is a partner with the Vancouver Maritime Museum, located at Kitsilano Point in Vancouver, and through the Cape Breton Project has worked to assist the North Vancouver Museum secure the Cape Breton's triple-expansion steam engine and the last 30 feet of her stern for permanent display.

Mission Statement
The Artificial Reef Society of British Columbia (ARSBC) creates and promotes artificial reefs for use by SCUBA divers as a means to:

* Promote economic activity in the vicinity of artificial reef sites;

* Promote the technologies and procedures required to establish safe and environmentally-friendly artificial reefs;

* Promote the use of artificial reefs as a means to minimise the impact of recreational SCUBA divers on historical wreck sites and other ecologically-sensitive dive sites;

* Monitor developments of all our artificial reefs for environmental impact and diver safety.