Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Apr 23, 2026

Transforming trash to treasure | Artificial dive sites being created in BVI

Transforming trash to treasure | Artificial dive sites being created in BVI

Two ­new artificial dive sites are being created in the British Virgin Islands. Kendyl Berna, the Vice President of the non-profit organization Beyond the Reef told BVI News the sites will be created using three hurricane-wrecked aeroplanes and the old Willy T boat.

She said the sites will be created within the first week of August and will be located at Great Dog, and Key Bay on Peter Island.

The aeroplanes will replace the former artificial dive site at The Dogs. That dive site was destroyed by the 2017 hurricanes. However with the installation of helical anchors, the new site will be properly secured to the seabed, Berna said.

She told BVI News the planes for the dive site are being transformed to resemble sharks.

“We chose sharks just because sharks are one of the biggest fish species in our waters,” she said.

In the meantime, the old Willy T boat will be changed into a ‘sunken pirate-themed ship underwater ship playground’ at Peter Island.

“There isn’t anything currently. It is a really protected and a safe dive site with no current. It also has a good depth of about 60 to 65 feet so we will be installing some moorings with it as well,” she explained.

Berna further said her organisation is hoping to use the site to keep the territory’s pirate history alive.

“The reason behind the initiative is kind of four-fold. To clean up derelict ships and aeroplanes that would otherwise go into waste here, recycling of the hurricane materials, creating additional positive publicity and tourism for the BVI, as well as a new dive site,” Berna said.

The initiative will benefit territory’s children too

She said the new tourist attraction will also assist local children in learning to swim.

“It will be generating $5 from every diver on the site that will go back into children’s swim programmes. We have basically gotten all the dive operators on board, and all of them have agreed to do their best to collect this money,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the undertaking is costing roughly $300,000, and the non-profit organization has teamed up with Commercial Dive Services to make the initiative possible.

She said the government has been incredibly supportive of the undertaking.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
News Roundup
Microsoft lost 2.5 millions users (French government) to Linux
Privacy Problems in Microsoft Windows OS
News roundup
Péter András Magyar and the Strategic Reset of Hungary
Hungary After the Landslide — A Strategic Reset in Europe
Meghan Markle Plans Exclusive Women-Focused Retreat During Australia Visit
Starmer and Trump Hold Strategic Talks on Securing Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Unofficial Australia Visit by Prince Harry and Meghan Expected to Stir Tensions with Royal Circles
Pipeline Attack Cuts Significant Share of Saudi Arabia’s Oil Export Capacity
UK Stocks Rise on Ceasefire Momentum and Renewed Focus on Diplomacy
UK to Hold Further Strategic Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security
Starmer Voices Frustration as Global Tensions Drive Up UK Energy Costs
UK Students Voice Concern Over Proposal for Automatic Military Draft Registration
Rising Volatility Drives Uncertainty in UK Fuel and Petrol Prices
UK Moves to Deploy ‘Skyhammer’ Anti-Drone System to Strengthen Airspace Defense
New Analysis Explores UK Budget Mechanics in ‘Behind the Blue’ Feature
Man Arrested After Four Die in Channel Crossing Tragedy
UK Tightens Immigration Framework with New Sponsor Rules and Fee Increases
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
×