USS Vandenberg
The USS Vandenberg finds a final resting place in the sub-tropical waters of the Florida Keys.
Ex USAFS Gen. Hoyt Vandenburg saw service throughout WWII and the cold war. Decommissioned she was leased by Sea Star Productions used for the film 'Virus' for Universal Studios.
"This is a major event for us, a great opportunity for the health of the reef as well as an economic shot in the arm for the Keys; tens of thousands of people have been waiting to hear this date," said Chris Norwood, President of Artificial Reefs of the Keys and a scuba diver himself.
"Not only do artificial reefs divert recreational user pressure from natural reefs, they also create a valuable habitat and new breeding grounds within the marine environment, said Joe Weatherby of Reefmakers. "We are pleased to be able to provide the community of Key West with the tools and resources to create sustained educational, social and cultural programs which can generate substantial revenues for the city, county and state of Florida."
Source: bigshipwrecks.com
Chris D. of Seattle writes "This morning at around 10:20 a.m. (EST) the USS Vandenberg, an old cargo ship from World War II, was sunk off the coast of Key West in Florida. The decommissioned ship will provide a large artificial diving site for recreational divers in clean, clear water. The Vandenberg sinking website claims it will be the 'best' fake reef for divers - the sunken 'Oriskany' is larger, but is located in nastier conditions and an inhospitable environment. At 140 feet down, the Vandenberg shipwreck will become a habitat for fish, as well. The Vandenberg was sunk by explosive charges, and is now sitting on the sandy bottom of the ocean. The Vandenberg project took almost ten years to plan and execute - at a cost of $8.6 million - but Florida officials expect that tourism dollars related to the Vandenberg sinking site will pay for the expenses soon. For more information, you can visit SinkTheVandenberg.com - an actual sinking video should be available soon. This morning, I think I missed the live Vandenberg sinking by just a few minutes!"
Source: http://www.rantrave.com/Rave/Cool-Video-The-USS-Vandenberg-Sinking.aspx
Vandenberg Dive Photos
Vandenberg Sinks in Key West; Our friend Mike McCallister was fortunate enough to be on one of the first teams of divers on the Vandenberg once it was sunk, he took some video and photos which we can share with you.
Source: http://www.kwflausa.com/blog/2009/06/04/vandenburg-sinking-video-and-diving-the-next-day
