The ocean is home to some of the most majestic creatures and sights, but it is also home to something much more mysterious: cruise ship graveyards. The idea of cruise ships being abandoned and left to rust away in a secluded part of the ocean may seem like something out of a horror movie, but it’s a reality that many ships have faced over the years.
The term ‘cruise ship graveyard’ refers to an area of the ocean where old and decommissioned cruise ships are sent for disposal. These vessels can no longer be used for their original purpose, so they are either sold for scrap metal or towed away and left to rot in the depths of the sea.
The concept of a cruise ship graveyard first became popular in the early 2000s as a way for companies to dispose of their out-of-date vessels without causing any environmental damage. Since then, we have seen an increase in the number of abandoned ships that have been found in waters around the world – some of them even dating as far back as the 70s.
But why do these ships end up in such remote locations? The answer lies with maritime law.
In order for a vessel to be abandoned legally, it must meet certain criteria including being at least three nautical miles away from land and not posing any danger or risk to navigation or marine life. This ensures that these vessels do not interfere with regular shipping lanes or harm any marine life.
When a vessel is deemed too old or too expensive to maintain, it will be sold for scrap metal or towed away to its final resting place – often referred to as ‘the bone yard’ – where it will slowly disintegrate into nothing more than rusting wreckage.
Conclusion:
Is there such a thing as a cruise ship graveyard? The answer is yes – there are many abandoned vessels scattered across oceans around the world due to maritime law stipulations that require them to be at least three nautical miles away from land and not pose any danger or risk to navigation or marine life. Although these graveyards may seem eerie, they serve an important purpose by ensuring that old and decommissioned vessels do not cause any environmental damage when they are finally disposed off.