Newest dive site: Tugboat Forceful now lies on the seabed and is ready to dive, off the coast of Southampton. *Photo supplied
Newest dive site: Tugboat Forceful now lies on the seabed and is ready to dive, off the coast of Southampton. *Photo supplied
A diver's village is gradually forming beneath the waves off South Shore with the recent sinking of a second tugboat.

Forceful is the latest addition to Bermuda's 300 shipwrecks and is a short distance from the 55-foot tugboat King sunk 24 years ago.

Accessed from the beach at the Fairmont Southampton Resort it lies on the seabed about 60 ft under the water.

The sinking of this 75-foot wreck only goes to strengthen the island's reputation as the Shipwreck Capital of the Atlantic.

The vessel was hurriedly sunk the Wednesday before tropical storm Bertha hit the island and is now ready for divers to visit.

Blue Water Divers, Dive Bermuda together with the Bermuda Intact Wreck Initiative (BIWI) and the Bermudian Maritime Museum worked together to clean and prepare the boat for sinking, place moorings and submerge it.

Owner of Blue Water Divers Michael Burke said: "Bermuda's wrecks are decaying and this is helping to form longevity for wreck diving in Bermuda.

Generate income

"BIWI was set up to place wrecks purposefully around the island. Marine Imports would have put it in deep water but now it's being recycled. It has a future and also it will generate income.

"It's a time consuming project - I was there for consultation purposes. It's a good site because the other tug is small and with two it is much more inspiring. The other vessel wasn't really big enough on its own. The new tug is more of a super structure."

BIWI scuttled the 55ft Navy diesel powered tugboat King in 1984 and divers can explore the pilothouse, galley and engine room.

In January last year BIWI was given the ex-government ferry Sea Venture that used to operate from Somerset to Hamilton. It has several levels with cabins and stairs for divers to explore.

Other wrecks placed by BIWI have included the Xing-Da and Hermes.