Mexico's Navy sinks a second former ship off Manzanillo for Colima's new artificial reef

Mexico's Navy sank the former ship ARM Baranda on November 4 near Punta Juluapan, in Santiago Bay at Manzanillo, Colima, to form part of the state's artificial reef system. It is the system's second vessel: the former ARM Cora went down in the same area on October 16. Navy Secretary Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles led the ceremony, with Colima's governor, Indira Vizcaíno Silva, according to a joint release from the Navy, the environment and tourism ministries and the state.

Officials describe the two hulls as the start of a marine sanctuary, with shelter, food and breeding space for sea life and a surface for corals to settle on, and as a new draw for recreational diving in Manzanillo. The Baranda spent 45 years in service on maritime surveillance, action against illegal activity and rescue at sea. The Cora, in service for more than 45 years, was a towing and ocean rescue vessel.

What the releases don't tell divers

Neither the November release nor the Navy's October statement on the Cora gives the depth of the wrecks, the date divers may visit them, any permit rule, any price or who will manage access. The October statement says only that Manzanillo's ecotourism sites will grow in the short term. The newspaper La Razón reported on November 4 a depth of 25 meters, about 300 meters from shore, with no source named; we found neither figure in an official release.

The fullest description of the site dates from October 2025, when Colima's government said it had asked the environment ministry to authorize the project. It placed the reef west of Punta Juluapan, in an area of 26.04 hectares, with a 25-year period of operation and maintenance. The state named diving and snorkeling as the recreational uses, and said dive schools sat on the project's committee.

The Navy's October statement also links the system to the New Port of Manzanillo-Cuyutlán, which involves removing mangrove and shoreline areas, and says the Cora is meant to create new marine habitat in that context.

A busy year for ship reefs

We counted 11 former ships sunk for artificial reefs in 2026 in the Navy's national and regional releases, including the José Azueta off San Carlos, Sonora, which we reported on in October. The count is ours and may not be complete; La Razón gave a figure of at least 11 on November 4.

The Cabo Corrientes date is the least firm. President Claudia Sheinbaum said on February 1 she had been at the sinking of a small ship in the Guaymas reef park that morning, and La Razón names the Cabo Corrientes for that ceremony. We give the Navy's date.

The stated aims differ. The Navy said the Zamora would support commercial species such as red snapper and help fishing. In Sonora, it says its reefs are meant to boost dive tourism.

What travel advice says about Manzanillo

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in advice updated October 20 and still current on November 5, says: "FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the whole state of Colima, except the city of Manzanillo accessed by sea or by air via Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport, and direct travel via road 200 from the airport to Manzanillo. Do not travel by other routes to the city of Manzanillo."

On adventure sports, the same advice says: "If you take part in adventure sports, including paragliding, skydiving, scuba diving and jet-skiing, be aware equipment may not meet UK safety and insurance standards. British nationals participating in these activities have been injured and, in some cases, killed. Check your travel insurance covers you for all your planned activities."