SHINGLE

scrapped

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Wreck broke into three pieces

The 'Shnigle', which was sunk in Killala Bay about four kilometres out from Enniscronea in a joint effort between Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef (KBS2R), the Revenue Commission and Mayo and Sligo County Councils to become Ireland’s first artificial reef and a diving hotspot, has broken up into three pieces. The wreck was badly damaged during Storm Éowyn on Jan 24, 2025. Recent underwater surveys have revealed that the bow and stern have come apart from the main structure. The sections have benn marked out with buoys. However, the goal of creating an artificial reef has been a success. There is fish life flocking to all three sites which is very positive. There has been a massive growth of barnacles and this has become a habitat for fish. The three parts of the ship are now deemed as wrecks and have been marked as ‘obstacles’ on the Commissioner of Irish Lights' admiralty charts. There is no risk to infrastructure in the nearby waters, such as the nearby subsea fibre cable that links the USA with Europe. The ship has moved 200 metres in the opposite direction of the cable and gone more towards Sligo. It was originally 500 metres from the cable.

Shingle scuttled as artificial reef

On the afternoon of Sep 18 the ' Shingle' was scuttled off County Mayo to create an artificial reef. A flotilla of smaller boats with spectators circled and a drone fed live footage off Killala Bay. Authorities hope the wreck, from its new home on the seabed, will enhance the ecosystem and boost tourism by enticing divers to Ireland’s west coast. The 'Shingle' was towed from New Ross and arrived at Killala Bay on Sep 17. About a dozen dinghies and other small boats accompanied the vessel on its last voyage. Soon after 3 p.m., about two kilometers from shore, its valves were opened.. After an hour the ship was visibly lower in the water and listed to its starboard side. Just before 5 p.m. the ship sank in a few seconds and came to rest on the seabed 29 metres deep on even keel. Reports with photo and video: https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2024/0918/1470635-mv-shingle-mayo/ https://www.westernpeople.ie/news/watch-former-smuggling-ship-sinks-into-killala-bay_arid-32102.html https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024/09/18/mv-shingle-sinking-ship-with-infamous-past-to-become-exploration-magnet-for-scuba-divers/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/18/former-smugglers-ship-sunk-off-ireland-to-form-artificial-reef https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHIfhT34gUM

Fish carrier to be sunk

The sinking of the 'Shingle' in Killala Bay as an artificial reef was scheduled to take place on Sep 18 at 3.30 p.m. lThe ship had eft New Ross Harbour on Sep 15 and arrived in the bay on the afternoon Sep 17. The fish carrier was seized by Customs officers at Drogheda Port as part of a €14m tobacco seizure in 2014 and was held by the Revenue Commission. It remained in the dry dock at New Ross ever since. The Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd. invested up to €35,000 into the project, and they have also received €50,000 in funding from Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) towards it. The ship has since undergone thorough preparations including environmental procedures making it eco-friendly and fit for purpose as an artificial reef. The go-ahead to sink the vessel was given in July whenthe Mayo County Council granted planning permission for the preparation, transportation, positioning and placement of the vessel on the seabed as Ireland’s first artificial reef, Iit is hoped that the project can bring a boost in diving tourism to the west of Ireland as well as promoting local marine ecology. Report with video: https://www.westernpeople.ie/news/watch-smuggling-ship-heads-for-mayo-bay-ahead-of-scheduled-sinking_arid-31927.html