When will diving on the Vandenberg begin??

[Rick155]

I see that its sinking is scheduled for May 15, but how soon thereafter will divers be allowed on it? The next day? A month later? I'm going to be on a dive trip in the Keys in mid-May, through the 19th. I'm sure it's expecting too much to think that we'd be able to dive the Vandenberg; either it'll be too early for diving it or, if you can dive it right away, the boats are probably already fully booked. Even so I'd be interested to know what the official date is for diving to start, if there is one. Meanwhile I'm sure the Spiegel Grove, the Eagle and other sites will do just FINE!

Rick

[mike_s]

I'd give them a couple days.

At best, I'd think it'd take 1 to 2 days. They will want to do safety inspections to make sure all the charges are blown and that it doesn't have any other dangers.

Then they'll want to install moorings balls to keep captains from dropping anchor on other divers heads.

So expect that to take 1 to 2 days, or maybe a little more.

This is all assuming they don't flip it like the idiots sinking the Speigel Grove did.

[ReefHound]

Typically, as was the case with the recent sinkings of the Oriskany and Clipper, the site is closed for 48 hours for safety inspection. Call around for charters, you might be surprised how few people will chance booking until she is actually down. Which is really the biggest wild card here. Artificial reef wrecks have not had a good history of sinking on their scheduled date. Not only does everything have to be ready and confirmed, but then weather has to be acceptable to tow out and sink. They aren´t going to do it in 4 to 6 foot waves.

[Rick155]

Artificial reef wrecks have not had a good history of sinking on their scheduled date. Not only does everything have to be ready and confirmed, but then weather has to be acceptable to tow out and sink. They aren´t going to do it in 4 to 6 foot waves.

Good point. On the other hand if everything goes according to plan, it appears they're going to be opening it for diving pretty fast after sinking and "clearance dives". Here's an excerpt from an email I got in response to the question:

There will be a security cordon during sinking operations. A clearance dive team made up of several law and public service agencies will assess the site to make sure all charges have detonated correctly and the wreck is properly positioned. The area will open to the public 24 hours after clearance dives.
.....
Sheri Lohr
Artificial Reefs of the Keys

So it seems like there may be hope to dive it during my trip, albeit a slim hope.

[navyhmc]

Hopefully they use the lessons learned from SG, Texas Clipper and the "O" and can set her down like they did with the Oriskany: 2 degree of list, can't ask for anything better. Granted, it would have sucked if the screwed up the Oriskany.

[allknighter237]

is sinking still scheduled for may 15th? i havent exactly been keeping up, but i heard that there were still some issues with finances or getting everything finalized. that will be an exciting wreck though...

[terrillja]

Originally Posted by allknighter237

is sinking still scheduled for may 15th? i havent exactly been keeping up, but i heard that there were still some issues with finances or getting everything finalized. that will be an exciting wreck though...

They are 2.4 million short, and one of their contractors never paid another for the cleanup, so the court has seized the ship last I heard. The thing looks like it will never sink at this rate...

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by allknighter237

is sinking still scheduled for may 15th? i havent exactly been keeping up, but i heard that there were still some issues with finances or getting everything finalized. that will be an exciting wreck though...

Not only are they 2.4million short, but the company hired to reef the ship hasn't paid the shipyard and they owe the shipyard 1.6million.

the shipyard has had a lien placed against the ship in federal court and the ship is "Under arrest" and can't be moved as ordered by federal judge.

with less than 30 days to May 15th, I think it's obvious that they won't make the sinking date.


The city of Key West has asked for a 6 month extension and are trying to raise the extra funds ($2.4mill). they are 40% over budget so far from their budget set in 2006.

Right now they are trying to shoot for a December sinking but they aren't making much in the way of announcments as it further shows the "egg on their face". They've been trying to sink this wreck since before the spiegel grove was sunk.

at least they havent flipped it, yet....

[RECDiver]

I just read today that the sinking has been officially postponed due to what mike s was elaborating about. The State of Florida owes money to the shipyard.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by RECDiver

I just read today that the sinking has been officially postponed due to what mike s was elaborating about. The State of Florida owes money to the shipyard.

Sad deal........