New FL Keys Dive Site:

The Sinking of the Vandenberg

Location: 24.27 N, 81.44 W

by Charmaine Smith Ladd

A decade-long project in the making by Artificial Reefs of the Keys (ARK) finally became a reality this morning.  At 10:21 a.m., approximately seven miles off Key West ((between Western Sambo and Sand Keys & South of Hawks Channel marker 32), the 522 ft. USS Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg officially became the second largest artificial reef. 

Following two explosions via well-placed detonators the retired U.S. Naval vessel sank in about two minutes and settled perfectly upright, its keel down about 140 feet on the bottom of the Atlantic. Much of the structure can be reached at only 40-50 ft. below the surface.

The massive Vandenberg will be a most wonderful addition to the fabulous dive sites of the Florida Keys.  In as soon as a week the new dive site will be open to all. 

Valeo Films via Keys News offers this video clip of the sinking of the Vandenberg:

Charmaine Smith Ladd, SSECN's Regional Correspondent for the Florida Keys, bringing you "The Low Down from Down Low."