The Vandenberg Sunk Off Key West; New Artificial Reef
By Editor • May 28th, 2009 • Category: Uncategorized
The retired missile-tracking ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg was sunk on May 27 and now sits in 140 feet of water six miles off Key West. The ship is reportedly sitting upright with its keel in the sand. After mooring buoys were installed, the site is now open to divers.
The 523-foot Vandenberg was one of the three largest ships in the world to be intentionally sunk as an artificial reef. The ship was at first used to transport troops and was later converted to defending the United States against missile attacks. It also tracked Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and even early Space Shuttle launches. The Vandenberg also played a role as a Russian science ship in the 1999 motion picture “Virus,” which starred Jamie Lee Curtis, William Baldwin and Donald Sutherland.
To watch video, visit the Miami Herald.
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What a great addition to the mass of artificial reefs off South Florida. Captured a good deal of the wreck a few days after sinking while free diving with a dive scooter. It allows you to cover a lot of ground with each breathhold dive. The following video was shot with two cameras during the free dives; http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=6019&page=2
Try to check out the Vandenberg if you can. It is an interesting dive!
Rick