Vandenberg, florida keys, usa 6 miles off the coast of key west, florida, the uss vandenberg can be found 140 feet deep. Its not every day you can scuba dive a cold warera ship. Dive marathons most popular wreck, thunderbolt scuba diving. A collection of shots i bagged while diving the 520ft uss vandenberg off key west on aug, 2009. Florida keys diving dive shops, dive resorts, scuba dive lesson. Learn about the features and facts, and book your dive trip with local dive shops at uss vandenberg today via chat on deepblu.
In 2009, a few miles offshore of key west, the uss vandenberg was sunk creating the worlds second largest artificial reef. The uss vandenberg trips do not receive the 10% on line booking discount at this time. I was sent the link because i dove it on thursday the day before. Florida uss vandenberg embroidered tank patch size is 3 x 1. She is the 2 nd largest artificial reef, measuring in at 522 long and 11 stories tall. The uss vandenberg originally uss general harry taylor launched in 1943 as a transport ship and later was turned into a mris, missile range instrumentation ship.
For advanced divers, the wreck of the uss vandenberg is a must dive. Meticulously cleaned and prepared, the vessel will become a habitat and breeding site for countless marine species. Vandenberg is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located at 6 miles west of, key west, fl 33040. Vandenberg wreck diving, key westlost reef adventures, key. The uss oriskany located south of pensacola is also a sight to see, being the largest artificial reef in the world. Its prized artificial reef grows from the usns vandenberg, a missile tracking ship.
The uss vandenberg has become one of the best artificial reef dive sites for recreational divers worldwide. Vandenberg off the coast of key west has become a main attraction for divers from all over the world. Diving the vandenberg from key west key west dive center. If you and everyone in your dive group is relatively new to diving, you may want to pick up a little additional training before heading out. Squierclass transport ship in the united states navy in world war ii named in honor of u. Scuba dive the vandenberg wreck in key west, florida. Key largo is called the scuba dive capital and all of the keys offer great dive.
A travel guide to scuba diving in florida keys, usa. Dec 11, 20 one of the great places for diving around the u. Bathed by the clear, warm waters of the gulf stream the florida keys is unquestionably one of the worlds best shipwreck diving destinations. Uss vandenberg on the final stages to be artificial reef. Aug 22, 2009 hd video clips of diving the uss vandenberg on aug, 2009.
Subtropic divers will be keeping its current schedule of a morning trip 8 am 1 pm, and will be diving the uss vandenberg every morning. The ship is the second largest vessel to be sunk purposely to become an artificial reef. Two dive trips are available each day and depart from old town. Spiegel grove, uscg duane, uscg bibb, wreck of the eagle, thunderbolt, adolphus busch sr. Someone just sent me this link about a death last friday on a vandenberg dive. The ship is over 522 feet in length and sits in 140feet of water offering some of the best wreck diving for advanced divers. Uss vandenberg united states, florida keys, straits of. Come dive on the liveaboard dive vessel rv kate with the gang at blue iguana charters in the florida keys. This patch reef features sea fans, sponges, brain coral, finger coral and star coral. The intentional sinking of the vandenberg and how to dive the wreck. Some might see only rusting, rotting hulks on the ocean floor, but divers see a living reef. Live aboard dive boat in the florida keys blue iguana charters. The worlds second largest wreck is about to be sunk for scuba divers and marine life any day now. At 100plus feet, holes cut along the outside of the hull to help sink the ship provide swim.
A directory of scuba diving dive sites in florida keys, usa. She served for a time as army transport usat general harry taylor, and was. Vandenberg, a wwii troop carrier and cold war era spy ship, seven miles off the coast of key west in order to create the worlds second largest artificial reef for divers. Can anyone give me detailed depths corresponding to mooring lines.
Learn about the vandenberg and other great dive locations in key west. Sep 29, 2016 diving in the uss vandenberg, key west, florida. Staghorn and elkhorn corals, and you can even spot small amounts of pillar coral in patches. The 520ft uss vandenberg was sunk in june 2009 as an artificial reef in 140 feet of water off key west. Feb 16, 2012 uss general alexander m patch, troop ship that took me to bremerhaven, germany from brooklyn army depot, new york.
An interesting characteristic of this wreck are the large parabolic dish antennas. Diving the uss vandenberg on august 14, 2015 with southpoint divers in key west, florida. The vandenberg project converted an old world war ii and missile tracking ship into an artificial reef in key west florida. Visibility around smith shoal is not always the best, which is one reason that it is not as popular a dive site as many others. Usns vandenberg is an awesome wreck dive sport diver. The ship then briefly had the usat designation serving as a us army transport ship. Though the vandenberg will be a safe, enjoyable dive for all experience levels of certified divers, those trained and experienced in lightwreck penetration can expect to explore the ships many cargo holds, stair towers, elevator shafts and hallways. The dive is recommended for divers of all levels, but many past visitors say that the vandenberg is best for advanced divers or new divers who are at least accompanied by an advanced diver. The vandenberg served on missle ranges as a telemetry ship and worked the space program shots up until the apollo missions. The uss vandenberg sits in over 150 of water making exploring the bottom of the wreck too deep for typical open water diving. Captains corner dive center key west, florida 704 views. Due to hurricane irmas impact the ship now sits at its deepest in 165 of water. Offshore, marathon is surrounded by sombrero key and coffins patch, two notake zones belonging to the florida keys national marine sanctuary, but it is marathons most popular wreck, the thunderbolt which happens to be among the florida keys oldest that attracts wreck aficionados.
In 1950 the ship was returned to service in the navy with a usns designation until it was. Usns vandenberg wreck is the best dive in the keys, bar none. The most interesting features of the dive, like the huge satellite dishes, are found in less than 100 of water. Sad news about the vandenberg dive site key west forum. Vandenberg has a long and varied history of ownership. A oneofakind diving experience, the sunken aircraft carrier uss oriskany is the largest artificial reef in the world. Vandenberg agm 10, exmc 702, ap 145 is on the final stages to become an artificial reef in the florida keys national marine. All eight played important roles in the past 25 years carrying troops, dependents, refugees and war brides between europe, the us and the far east. A former military troop transport and former missiletracking ship sunk in 140 feet of. Vandenberg tagm10 originally named uss general harry taylor ap145 was a general g.
Dec 11, 20 information for diving on the vandenberg from key west, florida. Im sure the dive operator will have this info but i would like to get an overview of this wreck and its features. The vandenberg is part of the florida keys shipwreck trail, a group of intentionally sunk vessels. Start you collection of scuba patches from your favorite destinations. Gulf side for snorkeling smaller patch reefs and exploring the mangroves with kayaks. A living art gallery andreas franke, renowned artist and diver, visited the vandenberg for a dive no one could have guessed the outcome. If youve got a passion for deep wrecks, the 650footlong ss president. Vandenberg is super, but serious wreck dive for advanced scuba divers only, as currents can be severe. The tower is located in 20 feet of water and is identical to those located in the marquesas keys, dry tortugas, and the tennessee reef. I need a stronger light to be able to show the inside of the ship but it was awesome. Quite often, decommissioned ships are used to create artificial reefs andndash. The ship was originally the uss general harry taylor, and served as a us navy transport ship during world war ii. The challenge highlights nine of the keys many wreck dive sites.
Dec 09, 2010 im going to be diving the vandenberg this december and am looking for a dive profilemap. The military sea transportation service has announced that eight of its troopships including the rose, patch, darby and buckner are being inactivated by the end of june 1970. Reefs adventure sport miami divers paradise of key biscayne. The ship settled upright on her keel in 1 minute 44 seconds, exactly as predicted by the many model tests performed to design the sink pl.
Scuba diving the vandenberg florida keys tourism council. Dive the vandenberg in 2009 the uss hoyt vandenberg found its permanent home port resting in the waters 7 miles offshore of key west after several years of being commissioned into the us navy and air force as a war ship, a transport ship and lastly, a missile tracking ship. The most popular and famous wreck dive in the keys is the uss vandenberg, about six miles off the coast of key west. Florida uss vandenberg tank patch france tank patch our price. Built shortly after world war ii, the mighty o served primarily in the pacific, earning two battle stars for service in the korean war and ten battle stars for service in the vietnam war. Due to its distance from miami beach we will be offering overnight trips twice a month all summer long.
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