HMCS Columbia

The HMCS Columbia was a destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces from 1959-1974. She was removed from reserve status in 1988 and sunk as an artificial reef off Maud Island in British Columbia in 1996. This is a good first time deep or wreck dive as the stern is shallow (70 - 80 feet or so dependant on tide) and the bow is 115 ft down to the muck. There are 3 bouys to tie up to and they are kept in good repair throughout the year. There is lots of life on this wreck, large lingcod, octopus (look in the vent stacks near the open bridge)greenlings, rock cod, sea pens, anenomes of all sizes....... the list goes on. Great for a night dive as it's in a sheltered area and if the visibility is good; the ship appearing out of the dark is a fantastic sight. For more info on this wreck go to : http://www.artificialreef.bc.ca/ and check out the video in the gallery. This site also lists other artificial reefs in the Vancouver Island area. Best access is by boat out of Campbell River. The wreck of the HMCS Columbia is in about 110 feet of water and marked by 3 buoys, one at its stern, which is the North end of the wreck, one amidship and one on the bow. Decend down the Northern buoy line to reach the stern. HMCS Columbia is also known as Wreck behind Maud Island.