What comes to your mind when you hear that the U.S. military intentionally sinks old tanks in the ocean? You might be surprised, confused, disgusted, or mad. You might even ask, “Isn’t that bad for the environment?” And yes, those are all valid reactions, because why would anyone drop a tank into the sea, on purpose?

Sinking old tanks is considered one of the best ways for the military to dispose of equipment when it is no longer needed. Nobody wants huge military machines that are too old to use, too tough to store, and too hard to throw away. If you’re curious to know how the U.S. sinks old military tanks into the ocean, continue reading.

Why Are There Sunken Old Military Tanks?

Many tanks run just fine after serving their purpose, but some are no longer really needed. There are better tanks now, as these are new, more advanced modern warfare tanks.

They are faster, smarter, and even more protected. And in reality, old military tanks can’t keep up with this advancement. But, because tanks are hard to dispose of, the U.S. sinks them into the ocean rather than keeping them around.

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Scrapping them also takes time and effort, especially since these tanks are not just made of simple materials. They are made of thick steel, designed to survive explosions. Moreover, it is too costly because it requires space, security, and maintenance. All that for what? They are not being used anymore. Hence, sinking them in the ocean would be more practical.

Additionally, it’s not just because they are hard to get rid of, but also because they can be homes for sea life. Yup, the tanks can serve as homes for fish, sharks, lobsters, and other marine life.

When a tank is sunk, coral will grow on its metal body and eventually attract marine life, which will make the tank their new home. It turns out, there are benefits for both parties. A home for sea life and more space in the military base.

What Military Tanks Were Sunken?

Not all old military tanks end up underwater, though, but there are many types out there. These are usually tanks that are no longer useful for combat or land training. There are a few that we know of:

• M-60 tanks in Alabama waters: During the 1990s, about 100 retired M-60 main battle tanks were cleaned and sunk off the coast of Alabama to serve as artificial reefs at depths of 70 to 110 feet within the Hugh Swingle and Don Kelley North permitted areas.
• M113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) in Delaware: Same as the M-60 tanks in Alabama waters; this APC is part of the Delaware Artificial Reef Program, particularly at Redbird Reef.

As time passes, they become hard to recognize, appearing less like their old selves and more like they are already a part of the ocean.

Is Sinking Old Military Tanks Safe for the Ocean?

There are a few points that we need to break down so that you can understand whether it is safe for the ocean.

The most important thing of all is that the military doesn’t just randomly throw these old military tanks into bodies of water. Before sinking a tank, it must comply with strict environmental rules and obtain a permit or approval to proceed. There are key laws that support this:

1. Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (1972): Permits ocean dumping, especially if it’s beneficial.
2. Clean Water Act (1972): Requires hazardous materials to be removed before sinking.

Before they sink ships, their process usually involves removing all fuel and oil, hazardous materials, and having environmental experts review the plan. The location where it would be sunk is also carefully chosen, because it has to be placed where it can’t damage natural coral reefs or even interfere with shipping routes.

There’s More Than Tanks Down There

It’s not only old military tanks out there, but also some aircraft carriers. One example would be the USS Spiegel Grove, a retired Navy ship sunk off the coast of Florida. It’s now covered in coral and full of fish, and divers from around the world visit to see how beautiful it turned out.

With all of that, sinking old military tanks isn’t wasteful or harmful to the environment after all. One way or another, they are still serving their purpose, not to humans, but to support sea life. And in a way, these old military tanks were given their final mission: to sit in peace and, instead of fighting in wars, spend their final days as homes for sea creatures.

Read next:

• From Tracks to Tactics: How Trains of the Civil War Impacted Military Strategy
• Every Awesome Military Uniform from History You Need to See Now
• Old Abe: The War Eagle Who Made History in Wisconsin

Sources:

• Everything Including the Kitchen “Sink” — Delaware’s Artificial Reefs
• Alabama’s Artificial Reefs
• Why Does the U.S. Sink Old Military Tanks in the Ocean?