Ship of naval forces of the USA will be flooded in the Cayman Islands and turned into an artificial reef for divers.

American rescue ship Kittiwake submarines in November will be transferred to authorities in the Cayman Islands, which are considered British territory in the Caribbean. Then one of the former U.S. Navy ships will be transformed into an artificial reef for diving excursions, Associated Press referring to the project manager of Maritime Administration Nancy Easterbrook.

Kittiwake was built in 1945 and has a displacement of 2,29 thousand tons with a length 76 meters. In recent years, the ship has not been used for its intended purpose.

Currently, the ship moored at the base at Fort Eustis in Virginia. There also are laid up, and other military vessels Defense Reserve Fleet, nicknamed ghostly. They are administered by the Office of the U.S. merchant fleet.

According to the plans, in 2009 Kittiwake find the last resting place on the bottom near the coast of the Cayman Islands. It requires the Minister of Tourism Charles Clifford Islands, after flooding in compartments Kittiwake inhabit many species of fish, and ship-reef will be a success among tourists.

Note that the administration of Cayman Islands already have experience in a similar recycling rusting "pot" of the fleet superpowers. In 1996 here was flooded and turned into a reef destroyer fall primarily in the Russian navy.

Now the 100-meter destroyer lies at a depth of 18 meters and it has stuck to a dense layer of the inhabitants of the sea depths.

Terms of the transaction between the Office of Merchant Marine and Island administration is not yet known. However, before the transfer Kittiwake in "civilian hands, the ship must undergo special processing, as it were poisonous.

Recall the spring of 2007 reported a similar decision the fate of the second-largest warship "General Vandenberg. It was supposed to flood at the island of Key West, Florida. From 1963 to 1983, the vessel is 156 meters long conducted a reconnaissance mission.

Now, "General Vandenberg towed ship docks near Washington, where he will take many months of quarantine: from it will remove any items and materials that can harm the ecology of the ocean.

Upon completion of the work that would cost 5.7 million dollars, 6 miles from the coast of Key West will be a new reef, which will provide habitat for thousands of diverse oceanic flora and fauna and, consequently, attract lovers of the underwater world. According to local professionals, the influx of tourists to boost the coffers of the state.

Extinction of Carribean Coral Reefs

Coral reefs of the Caribbean Sea due to global warming are losing their structure, becoming more flat. This process continues for the past 40 years, can lead to the extinction of many species of coral reef ecosystems.

"The complex structures of reefs provide shelter for many organisms from predators. The destruction of " architecture " leads to a fall of biodiversity, which in turn, negatively affect the coastal communities earning with fishing. The destruction of the structure of reefs also reduces the natural protection of the coast from erosion.

Previous studies have shown that corals in the area undergo degradation, but scientists at the University of East Anglia University in Canada for the first time demonstrated how changes the "architecture" reefs and how it might affect the species living there.

The authors analyzed the changes in the 200 coral reefs in the period from 1969 to 2008. They showed two episodes of strong "flattening" of corals. The first of these occurred in the late 1970's and was associated with the spread of the disease, which destroyed 90% of the two types of coral polyps. The second period of vertical structures of coral reefs is happening today. Scientists associate this process with global warming and rising sea surface temperatures.

Barbados - an island where love lives!

Barbados - the small, reminiscent of pear-shaped island, which lies in the chain of the Small Antilles.
The first settlers in Barbados were Amerindian nomads. Three waves of immigration have passed through the island, which is then sent in the direction of North America.

The name "Barbados" comes from the Portuguese explorer Pedro Campos (Pedro Campos) in 1536, initially named the island «Os Barbados» (bearded) because of the abundance growing on its fig trees, entwined like beards epiphytes. Between 1536 and 1550 years, Spanish conquistadors seized many Caribs on the island and used them on the plantations as slaves. Some Caribs still escaped from the island.

Despite the fact that Barbados for many years was a British colony, the African influence pervades their daily lives - from the gastronomic preferences to architecture and street names.

A popular tourist destination, Barbados has 50 years of the last century. By the 70-island has been gaining popularity, and today the annual number of guests in Barbados over a million people. The main attraction is its stunning beaches, mild climate and cheerful people, fond of holidays. The island is often called the little England, because of the many traditions and ways of spending time is inherited from that country. For example, such as a game of cricket, golf, old English church.
The white sand beaches, coral reefs, the abundance of historical sites associated with the era heyday of piracy, and the traditional carnivals make this island one of the gems of the Caribbean Sea.

Barbados offers excellent opportunities for recreation: here is waiting for tourists surfing, diving, excursions to the Wildlife Sanctuary in the north of the island, exciting descents in the karst caves and grottos with underground rivers and lakes.

Secluded bays and magnificent beaches of pink sand, special rates for newlyweds in most hotels and a huge amount of entertainment is an ideal island for a honeymoon.
Today Barbados - one of the most developed Caribbean islands with high levels of life and extensive infrastructure. Barbados is proud of its tradition of wedding ceremonies and offers a wide range of services for their conduct.