ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date

hchoat · 2nd March 2006, 18:16

The Oriskany has a sink date- May 17, 2006!

Published - March, 2, 2006
Oriskany sinking set for May 17
William Rabb
@PensacolaNewsJournal.com
If all goes according to plan, the Oriskany will sink to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico on May 17, and scuba divers could be allowed on the decommissioned aircraft carrier as soon as two days later, local and Navy officials said Wednesday.

"To all those disbelievers who said this would never happen, I accept your apologies," joked retired Vice Adm. Jack Fetterman, who has spearheaded the effort to secure the famed Navy ship, during a meeting on the project at the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Oriskany, which saw duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars, will become the first aircraft carrier to be scuttled deliberately as an artificial reef so close to shore -- 22.5 miles south of Pensacola.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave final approval for the sinking last month. Navy officials said Wednesday that the ship should return to the Pensacola Naval Air Station next Wednesday from Texas, where it rode out the 2005 hurricane season.

Work will begin shortly to clean it up and prepare it for sinking, said Capt. Pete Frano, commanding officer of Pensacola NAS.

Navy and county officials outlined several key points about the sinking, which has been three years in the making and is expected to draw hundreds of tourists annually:

· No one other than workers will be allowed on the ship while it is being prepared for sinking, and while it is being towed to sea.

· No ceremonies will be conducted when tugs begin towing the Oriskany out to sea, probably around May 15, because explosives already will be on board. Instead, a special ceremony for former crew members and invited guests will be conducted May 13 at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola NAS.

· Private boats will be allowed to witness the sinking but must stay at least a mile away from the Oriskany at all times. The sinking will commence at first light on May 17, and it could take all day for the ship's hull to fill with water.

· The 48- to 96-hour wait period is necessary before diving is allowed to make sure no material breaks loose from the 888-foot carrier. Security boats will be on hand to keep divers away until safety is assured, officials said.

· The coordinates of the sinking location are: 30 degrees, 2 minutes north latitude, and 87 degrees, 0 minutes west longitude, said Robert Turpin, Escambia County's chief of marine resources.

· National Geographic filmmakers are expected to document the entire preparation and scuttling process.

diverklondike · 2nd March 2006, 18:56

WOW!

Have they published what the depth of the water is where they are planning to sink it???

hchoat · 2nd March 2006, 18:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverklondike)

WOW!

Have they published what the depth of the water is where they are planning to sink it???

Actually, yes, they have. I dived the sink site summer before last (currently it is a featureless white sand bottom with some horse conch- pretty typical for this part of FL). Bottom is right about 210', making the flight deck about 100' and the island roughly 65'. Of course, that's *IF* she goes down upright (as planned) but we know what happened with the Speigel Grove.....

Explorer · 2nd March 2006, 19:09

Heather,

We'll just have to wait for another hurricane if that happens.

Genesis · 2nd March 2006, 19:54

Its gonna be an awesome dive... looking forward to scooter races in the hanger deck

Gigabite will be out there regularly; all are welcome.....

hchoat · 2nd March 2006, 19:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer)

Heather,

We'll just have to wait for another hurricane if that happens.

Don't say that word.....

shell-back · 2nd March 2006, 20:20

Karl, how many of us can fit on your boat?

Genesis · 2nd March 2006, 20:29

Quote: (Originally Posted by shell-back)

Karl, how many of us can fit on your boat?

How many scooters do you want to bring?

Crazyduck · 2nd March 2006, 20:53

Heather,
Any chances of you having mixed gas training dives taking place on the USS Oriskany? Not like that would be a selling point.

I think that from North Texas it is about 12hours drive!

YEAH! Andrew

***Beanie*** · 2nd March 2006, 20:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by Crazyduck)

I think that from North Texas it is about 12hours drive!

Closer than me then

2nd March 2006, 18:16	#1 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 227	ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date The Oriskany has a sink date- May 17, 2006! Published - March, 2, 2006 Oriskany sinking set for May 17 William Rabb @PensacolaNewsJournal.com If all goes according to plan, the Oriskany will sink to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico on May 17, and scuba divers could be allowed on the decommissioned aircraft carrier as soon as two days later, local and Navy officials said Wednesday. "To all those disbelievers who said this would never happen, I accept your apologies," joked retired Vice Adm. Jack Fetterman, who has spearheaded the effort to secure the famed Navy ship, during a meeting on the project at the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. The Oriskany, which saw duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars, will become the first aircraft carrier to be scuttled deliberately as an artificial reef so close to shore -- 22.5 miles south of Pensacola. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave final approval for the sinking last month. Navy officials said Wednesday that the ship should return to the Pensacola Naval Air Station next Wednesday from Texas, where it rode out the 2005 hurricane season. Work will begin shortly to clean it up and prepare it for sinking, said Capt. Pete Frano, commanding officer of Pensacola NAS. Navy and county officials outlined several key points about the sinking, which has been three years in the making and is expected to draw hundreds of tourists annually: · No one other than workers will be allowed on the ship while it is being prepared for sinking, and while it is being towed to sea. · No ceremonies will be conducted when tugs begin towing the Oriskany out to sea, probably around May 15, because explosives already will be on board. Instead, a special ceremony for former crew members and invited guests will be conducted May 13 at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola NAS. · Private boats will be allowed to witness the sinking but must stay at least a mile away from the Oriskany at all times. The sinking will commence at first light on May 17, and it could take all day for the ship's hull to fill with water. · The 48- to 96-hour wait period is necessary before diving is allowed to make sure no material breaks loose from the 888-foot carrier. Security boats will be on hand to keep divers away until safety is assured, officials said. · The coordinates of the sinking location are: 30 degrees, 2 minutes north latitude, and 87 degrees, 0 minutes west longitude, said Robert Turpin, Escambia County's chief of marine resources. · National Geographic filmmakers are expected to document the entire preparation and scuttling process. __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Online)

2nd March 2006, 18:56	#2 (permalink)
diverklondike Just one of the Peasants Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,610	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date WOW! Have they published what the depth of the water is where they are planning to sink it???
(Online)

2nd March 2006, 18:59	#3 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 227	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date Quote: (Originally Posted by diverklondike) WOW! Have they published what the depth of the water is where they are planning to sink it??? Actually, yes, they have. I dived the sink site summer before last (currently it is a featureless white sand bottom with some horse conch- pretty typical for this part of FL). Bottom is right about 210', making the flight deck about 100' and the island roughly 65'. Of course, that's IF she goes down upright (as planned) but we know what happened with the Speigel Grove..... __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Online)

2nd March 2006, 19:09	#4 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 772	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date Heather, We'll just have to wait for another hurricane if that happens. __________________ 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves, 20 dwarves took turns doing handstands on the carpet
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2nd March 2006, 19:54	#5 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date Its gonna be an awesome dive... looking forward to scooter races in the hanger deck Gigabite will be out there regularly; all are welcome..... __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
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2nd March 2006, 19:55	#6 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 227	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer) Heather, We'll just have to wait for another hurricane if that happens. Don't say that word..... __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Online)

2nd March 2006, 20:20	#7 (permalink)
shell-back I do all my own stunts Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: middle of US Posts: 481	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date Karl, how many of us can fit on your boat? __________________ The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge. ----Daniel Boorstin Billy Beal SDITDI IT #3507 Rebreather World FIGJAM commitee member
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2nd March 2006, 20:29	#8 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date Quote: (Originally Posted by shell-back) Karl, how many of us can fit on your boat? How many scooters do you want to bring? __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
(Offline)

2nd March 2006, 20:53	#9 (permalink)
Crazyduck Underwater Mechanic Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS, Dallas/ Ft.Worth Posts: 712	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date Heather, Any chances of you having mixed gas training dives taking place on the USS Oriskany? Not like that would be a selling point. I think that from North Texas it is about 12hours drive! YEAH! Andrew __________________ Howdy Senor- What’s Happening! Rob Davie April 2005- Presently in a state of transition from Open Circuit to Closed Circuit. "You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by it." - Buddha.
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2nd March 2006, 20:56	#10 (permalink)
*Beanie* give a man an inch....... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,248	Re: ex-USS Oriskany has a sink date Quote: (Originally Posted by Crazyduck) I think that from North Texas it is about 12hours drive! Closer than me then __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk 0871 242 7808
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