[flyandscuba]

Today's scheduled MEP flight for MSO Mobile provided a unique opportunity to observe the USS Oriskany's final voyage.

We flew along the perimeter of the USCG-imposed "airspace safety zone" (greater than 5000ft at 1 nm or less). We orbited at 1200 feet and 1.5 nm while several other media/spectator aircraft flew above.

USCG and US Navy surface vessels ensured that no pleasure vessels ventured within a 1 nm surface safety zone during the actual sinking. We observed everything from elaborate multi-million dollar pleasure vessels to the most simple inflatable boats make the journey to witness the event.

From the time the demolition charges were detonated until the Oriskany disappeared below the waves was a mere 35-40 minutes. Once the hangar deck reached the water line, she was gone in less than 5 minutes. Filling with water, she listed to port and slipped below the surface by the stern. However, she appeared to level out as the bow disappeared. I expect that if she isn't resting flat on her keel at the bottom, she will be only slightly listing to port -- both situations acceptable from a diving destination perspective.

A few pics and a short video clip is attached. Enjoy!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...stingplace.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...hargesblow.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...tingtoport.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...slipsbelow.jpg


video above -- click to view


video above -- click to view

[Zak3056]

With the price of steel increasing almost (it seems) daily, it doesn't seem to make much sense to send 20k tons of it to the bottom. What's the reasoning, is it to create an artifical reef or something?

[Beeg]

Cool, thanks for posting that.

Where is it exactly? How deep is the water?

[Beeg]

Looked up a NEWS spot.

http://www.wpmi.com/news/local/story...E-F160AF22E475


.

[flyandscuba]

Originally posted by Zak3056
With the price of steel increasing almost (it seems) daily, it doesn't seem to make much sense to send 20k tons of it to the bottom. What's the reasoning, is it to create an artifical reef or something?

Yes, it was the first test case of the US Navy's reefing program to dispose of surplus vessels. The cost to prepare and transport the ship for sinking was $20 million. All hazardous material was removed and the Florida DEP had to conduct impact studies.

Future sinkings will be less costly and occur in less time (less government hoops to jump through) than the two years spent on the USS Oriskany.

Should they have decided to "sell" the ship for scrap metal -- it would have cost the US Navy more to prepare and dispose of the vessel than the $20 million spent to make it an artificial reef.

The positive economic impact on the Northwest Florida area will be significant. Divers and sport fisherman will travel in from all over the world to utilize this -- currently the world's largest artificial reef.

[flyandscuba]

Originally posted by Beeg
Cool, thanks for posting that.

Where is it exactly? How deep is the water?

About 22 miles southeast of Pensacola -- in 212 feet of water. The flight deck rests at 150 feet and the island super structure rises from the flight deck up to approximately 65 feet.

Hovering alongside the super structure, stalking a wary Grouper with my speargun -- gazing down upon the immense flight deck below will be an impressive sight. After all, at 888 ft in length -- the Might O is larger than the Titanic's 882.75 feet....

[IslandHopper]

So, I'm wondering how tall the deck and super are .... if the keel's at 212 feet, not MANY divers will be visiting the props/rudders.

[JMag]

Originally posted by IslandHopper
So, I'm wondering how tall the deck and super are .... if the keel's at 212 feet, not MANY divers will be visiting the props/rudders.

I believe the super is about 65 feet from the surface with the deck 150 feet down. Hence, it is a technical dive requiring a gas mixture which will limit the recreational diving one would think.

I'm not a diver, only relaying what I've heard.

[flyandscuba]

Jmag is correct. The top of the island is at 65 feet below the surface (necessary clearance for navigation of vessels) and continues down to the flight deck at roughly 150 feet.

There will be plenty for the recreational diver to see and do within the 130 foot recreational dive limits. The island itself is a large area to explore.

A small portion of divers are the "tech wreck" crowd who have the training and equipment necessary to explore the remainder of the wreck while breathing mixed gases.

Here's a video of the first dive post-sinking (the divers are using rebreather equipment)

http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/.../60518019/1006

[Beeg]

Awesome, she's resting nice and level.