Thanks to Rio Times for this:
SALVADOR, BAHIA, BRAZIL – A ferry and a tugboat were sunk in the Todos-os-Santos Bay, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil on Saturday, November 21st, 2020.
After 45 years interconnecting the continent with the island of Itaparica, the 233 foot long ferry boat Agenor Gordilho was sunk just under a mile in front of the Yate Clube da Bahia (Yacht Club of Bahia).
The Agenor was formerly a 300 car passenger ferry.
It was intentionally sunk in 100 feet of water.
The sinking point is located 1 mile off the coast.
The two vessels will be used for underwater tourism in the state.
This was the first time that a ferry was sunk at the site. The Navy and the Environment Secretariats (INEMA), Infrastructure (AGERBA) and Administration (Heritage) were involved in the action, as well as SETUR (Tourism Secretariat).
The operation followed a long series of preparatory steps, including the removal of all pollutants.
The sinking took about an hour and thirty minutes.
It was purposely chosen to allow easy access for dive tourism, and the first tours could begin as early as next week.
Given the bay’s thriving marine environment, the organizers of the operation expect that the vessel will be encrusted in marine life within a year’s time.
The sinking will also save the state nearly $2,000 per month in docking and maintenance fees for the decommissioned ferry. Additional underused car ferries will follow soon, he said.
“The assisted sinking of the ferry boat Agenor Gordilho and the tugboat Vega is a milestone for our nautical tourism. Baía de Todos-os-Santos today saw a historic event that, certainly, will generate development, jobs and income,” said Bahia’s governor, Rui Costa.
