June 14 2011- Here is a quick video on the surface conditions the day I dove the Vandenberg off Key West. It was a fantastic week for diving. I have videos for all dives from this trip. I am working on editing them and will post them soon.
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Vandenberg
Conditions where still just as perfect. For the second dive we explored the bow section. While there is a lot to expolre, the bridge area is very open with easy swim throughs. I was diving with two diver of mix expericence and skill levels so we stuck to the bright, easy and exterior passages. I would really like to go back with divers I know, who are properly equip and explore more of the interior of the ship. That will be a really cool set of dives.
I will post or link more videos and stills as I upload them.
Today I fulfilled a long time objective/dream. I have followed the story of the USS Vandenberg from the time I learn that it was in shipyard in Richmond Virginia being clean up to be used as an artifical reef off of Key West Flordia. Following the up and down story through to the sinking. I even took of the morning of the sinking to watch it on the internet. (they should have used squarespace). My plan started that day I was going to dive the ship as soon as I could.
The inital trip I had planned back in March fell through. I decied I would go anyway and make it up as I go. The week has been perfect. Could not have asked for better weather or dive conditions. Sunny and warm on the surface. Glass flat see no current, great viz and warm water. You could see the Vandenberg from the deck of the dive boat it was so clear and calm.
I had two cameras with me. A GO Pro HD on my head and a Canon in hand I have lots of video. We where tied to the midship ball. This short video is from the first dive where we covered the stren section. Yeah I need a red filter, I know. I will post a link to the stills and other videos once I have them uploaded.
Enjoy.
Just finished watching the Vandenberg go down. It took some time to get a connection to feed. I will have to check back with the site to see what the actual time was. It appeared to go off as planned it was about two minutes from the first sign of a blast to no longer seeing the ship on the surface. Waiting to see if all went well on the bottom. Then it will be time to plan a trip.
Earlier this week it was reported May 27, 2009 is the date to scuttle the Vandenberg.
The Key West Citizen continues its great coverage of the progress and events surrounding the Vandenberg. Their Sunday May 11th edition had several pages of articles surrounding the ship. The Citizens on-line site KeysNews.com now has a Vandenberg link to the articles they have published on the project.
Another great blog on the process of clearing the ship for divers is from Seaduction. Seaduction will be the team of public safety and tech divers clearing the wreck after it settles on the bottom, in their blog article Sinking the Vandenberg they give details of the events between the sinking and allowing the public to dive the wreck.
The Miami Herald has reported today the Vandenberg will be sent to the bottom between May 26 and June 1. The exact date will be dependant on weather and ship traffic.
Should be exciting. My guess would be Wednesday or Thursday. Then it would be ready to dive for the weekend!
How about getting a tour of the Vandenberg while it is docked in Key West. Well Captain Scotty of Blue Iguana Charters and few others where lucky enough to be given a tour of the ship. He took lots of pictures, go check out the Photo Gallery on their site.
Bigshipwrecks.com is reporting that earlier this morning the HS Vandenberg is tied up at the Truman Annex dock.
Now the work begins on scuttling her. The plan is to have her on the bottom on or before June 1. The amount of work needed to to get her ready they say it is not possible to meet the mid-May date. The only time frame offer at this point is between May 15th and June 1.
The KeysNews and Bigshipwrecks.com report that the Vandenberg anchored south of Key West. The reports say are waiting until Wednesday morning to bring the ship in to the harbor and dock it near the Truman Annex.
The ship will be prepared for its voyage to the bottom of the sea over the next month at the dock. The plan is to sink the Vandenberg before June 1.
The KeysNews reports local divers in the Keys are brushing up on their skills in anticipation of the Vandenberg becoming Florida's newest artificial reef. Good for the dive industry, good for the local economy and a great way to watch a reef form and the environment it will create.
Thinking about planning a trip to dive it maybe July/August time frame, anybody want to come.
The Keys News and BigShipwrecks.com have reported the Vandenberg left Norfork Virginia on Sunday April 12 headed for Key West. Depending on the weather and seas it should arrive by the end of the week.
Keys News.com and Big Shipwrecks.com reported the anchors for the Vandenberg arrived in Key West. The ship is supposed to be under way to Key West soon. They want her on the bottom before hurricane season starts, which is June 1. Can't wait! Great ship; will make a great reef.
Click on the Links above to read the articles.