Captain Tenneal
May 10th, 2006, 19:46
her next date with history is coming up fast!
Artificial Reef Project
While becoming a museum would have been a preferable fate, time and lack of maintenance have taken their toll on this once proud warrior, and her now hazardous condition prevents this possibility. Instead, the former USS Oriskany, CV/CVA-34, will become the worlds first aircraft carrier deployed as an artificial reef.
In 2004, the Navy decided that she would be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico 22.5 nm SSE of Pensacola, Florida. The decision was made to place her in Pensacola because of the ideal environmental conditions for the project, the ability for the Pensacola area to maximize the value of the project for the public, and because of Pensacola's historical significance as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation".
When she is deployed in May of 2006, the USS Oriskany will sit in 212' of water, with the top of the structure around 55' deep and the flight deck at 130' . She will sit on clean white sand near where the bottom drops off quickly to the south. Visibility ion the area regularly exceeds 100', and water temps remain moderate throughout the year, with highs in the upper 80's and lows around 70.
The proximity to clear deep water and the immense structure of the Oriskany will bring an impressive array of marine life to the reef, including species commonly found on inshore reefs including all of the tropical species found in the Gulf, large marine animals such as dolphins, turtles, and whale sharks.
One of the major draws to the reef for fishermen will be the variety of common inshore and offshore game species expected to frequent the site including Snappers, Groupers, Jacks, Tunas, Wahoo, and even Billfish.
The USS Oriskany will not only be unique for divers because of it's status as the largest intentionally sunk artificial reef in the world - it will provide dive and training opportunities for divers of all skill levels as well as presenting the opportunity to conduct dives on an historically significant site.
According to current plans, the Island, hangar deck and gallery deck will remain open for divers that are properly trained and equipped.
Deployment is scheduled for May 17, 2006.
Artificial Reef Project
While becoming a museum would have been a preferable fate, time and lack of maintenance have taken their toll on this once proud warrior, and her now hazardous condition prevents this possibility. Instead, the former USS Oriskany, CV/CVA-34, will become the worlds first aircraft carrier deployed as an artificial reef.
In 2004, the Navy decided that she would be deployed in the Gulf of Mexico 22.5 nm SSE of Pensacola, Florida. The decision was made to place her in Pensacola because of the ideal environmental conditions for the project, the ability for the Pensacola area to maximize the value of the project for the public, and because of Pensacola's historical significance as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation".
When she is deployed in May of 2006, the USS Oriskany will sit in 212' of water, with the top of the structure around 55' deep and the flight deck at 130' . She will sit on clean white sand near where the bottom drops off quickly to the south. Visibility ion the area regularly exceeds 100', and water temps remain moderate throughout the year, with highs in the upper 80's and lows around 70.
The proximity to clear deep water and the immense structure of the Oriskany will bring an impressive array of marine life to the reef, including species commonly found on inshore reefs including all of the tropical species found in the Gulf, large marine animals such as dolphins, turtles, and whale sharks.
One of the major draws to the reef for fishermen will be the variety of common inshore and offshore game species expected to frequent the site including Snappers, Groupers, Jacks, Tunas, Wahoo, and even Billfish.
The USS Oriskany will not only be unique for divers because of it's status as the largest intentionally sunk artificial reef in the world - it will provide dive and training opportunities for divers of all skill levels as well as presenting the opportunity to conduct dives on an historically significant site.
According to current plans, the Island, hangar deck and gallery deck will remain open for divers that are properly trained and equipped.
Deployment is scheduled for May 17, 2006.