Destroyer ship to be sunk and transformed into an artificial reef

After 41 years of continuous service in the Mexican Navy, the destroyer ship “ ARM Comodoro Manuel Azueta D-111 ” is ready to be sunk to the bottom of the ocean and become part of the Reef Park of Veracruz.

The sinking will be done pursuant to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources ( SEMARNAT ), which include a provision to removed from the ship all material which could pollute the environment or represent a hazard for underwater activities.

The aim of this measure is to create an artificial reef to provide a habitat for the development of flora and fauna in the region, in addition to serve as a scuba diving area for the practices of the Mexican Navy and as a tourist attraction.

The Ministry of the Navy added that this unit was used as a transportation vessel and as a training center for Navy cadets.

The ship docked at several domestic ports but also saw its fair share of international ones, docking in countries such as Argentina, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, France, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Africa and Venezuela , to name a few.

The “ARM Comodoro Manuel Azueta D-111” was built in 1943 in the United States and under the name “ USS Hurst ” was deployed in several military operations during World War II, among which stand out the Battle of the Atlantic and Pearl Harbor .

It was acquired by the Mexican Navy in 1973 and remained an active service with the fleet until 2015. It was named in honor of naval officer Manuel Azueta Perillos, who had a prominent participation in the Heroic Deed of the Port of Veracruz on April 21, 1914.

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