Dr. Harry Wong is a recreational diver who wants to sink some of the Navy's decomissioned ships along California's coast. As president of that state's Ships 2 Reefs -- a group of scuba divers, scientists, and engineers whose goal is to sink "20 ships in 20 years" off the California coast -- he's already been offered a decommissioned Navy sub to sink, the USS Sailfish, as well as 2 derelict fishing trawlers. Other ships may be on the horizon. Now, he just has to raise enough funds (it costs roughly $2 million to acquire, clean, prepare, and sink a ship) and secure permission from local lawmakers (which runs in the neighborhood of 5 years).

Seeking help from some non-traditional sources (hoteliers, city governments, and local companies), Wong believes that the benefits to the environment (increased fish populations) and to the economy (increased tourist populations) will encourage people to help.

Oddly, some people (including Sonke Mastrup, the deputy director of California's Department of Fish and Game) don't agree that creating artificial reefs creates habitat for fish. According to Mastrup, "We don't see the ships as significant habitat (for fish) but we see the economic value of it. We're willing to see if we can't make this work on a statewide basis." I don't know how such a high level official could make such a bizarre-o statement, but the important thing is that the Department is onboard with the program, for whatever reason. Viva la wrecks, and a big shout-out to Wong and his group, who just got named Divester's Heroes of the Week!