Soviet Sub to Be Sunk off San Diego

The Log: California's Boating & Fishing News: Soviet Sub to Be Sunk off San Diego

SAN DIEGO -- A Cold-War-era Soviet submarine will soon submerge for the last time, joining the Canadian warship Yukon to become part of a growing artificial reef system off San Diego called “Wreck Alley.”



Soon to Be Sunk—This massive former Soviet Sub dubbed Foxtrot will soon find a new home as part of a growing artificial reef system off the coast of San Diego.



The submarine B-39 Foxtrot, currently on display at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, will end its days by being transferred to California Ships to Reefs, an organization that scuttles surplus ships to become artificial diving and fishing reefs, if all goes according to plan.

The B-39 submarine has been part of the museum’s fleet since 2004.

“The Maritime Museum appreciates the opportunity to show the San Diego community that the submarine’s history does not end at the ocean’s surface,” said Dr. Ray Ashley, museum director. “We’re looking forward to working on this project with California Ships to Reefs.”

B-39 was commissioned in the early 1970s and served on active duty for more than 20 years. The 300-foot-long, 2,000-ton vessel is among the largest conventionally powered submarines ever built. The sub was designed to track U.S. and NATO warships throughout the world’s oceans.

No immediate timeline was established for the sub’s transfer to California Ships to Reefs. Vessels sunk as reefs typically undergo intensive preparation to prevent environmental contamination caused by hazardous materials routinely found on seagoing vessels. Acquiring permits for sinking wrecks can be time consuming and expensive.

“We anticipate sinking the sub in San Diego’s Wreck Alley, where HMCS Yukon is already a popular attraction and a beautiful artificial reef,” said Joel Geldin, California Ships to Reefs chairman and chief executive officer.

The 366-foot retired Canadian destroyer Yukon was scuttled in 2002 about a mile off Pacific Beach in about 100 feet of water.