Rafflesia, a luxury yacht, serves as Malahom Bay artificial reef.

KOTA KINABALU: A luxury yacht has recently sunk to the bottom of the ocean off Malahom Bay here to be a new habitat for the marine lives.

The Malahom bay itself is home to three diverse marine ecosystems: coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds.

The vessel, known as Rafflesia was one of Gayana Marine Resort's longest-serving ships that used to take guests around Gaya Island for relaxing sunset cruises and private gatherings before it is permanently docked due to old age.

Its Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) ambassador Lizio Mosigil said Rafflesia has plenty of potential to serve underwater.

Before sinking, Gayana Dive and Recreation team had made sure that all toxic materials have been removed from a ship and ensure that no corals around the sinking area.  

“We have positioned the titan next to another Vietnamese boat that had been sunk many years ago. 

"The Rafflesia was sunk exactly at the point where we intended it to land-at 16 meters below the surface on a flat ground," he said, adding after few minutes it was sunk, schools of fish have started to gather around the boat.  

Lizio added that Gayana had sunk many older ships in the past to create ecologically-friendly artificial reefs that have become homes to thousands of marine animals. 

He said Rafflesia would be another great diving or a free diving spot that become part of their existing diving trail.