The Central Coast Artificial Reef Project - CCARP
CCARP is a non-profit organisation formed with representatives from two well established NSW Central Coast dive clubs and supporting Dive Operators. The sole objective of CCARP is to establish one or more diveable artificial reefs on the NSW Central Coast.
CCARP was originally created with the aim of lobbying the Commonwealth and NSW governments for acquisition of the decommissioned destroyer HMAS Brisbane. For a number of years the Australian Federal Government has had a policy of ceding to the states its warships as they become surplus to requirements and are decommissioned. The states in turn have sunk these vessels, suitably cleaned and prepared, in various locations as artificial reefs for the benefit of local, national and international traveling SCUBA divers and to develop a more diverse marine habitat. HMAS Brisbane was originally gifted to Queensland, however that states Government formally declined the offer several times until accepting the warship late in 2002.
