The former Navy troop carrier, the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, headed to its final resting place on Tuesday, May 26. The ship is scheduled to be sunk on Wednesday in 140 feet of water, about six miles south of Key West in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The U.S. Coast Guard will establish a security zone around the 523-foot ship as it is towed out to sea.. Once the ship slips below the surface, a 500-yard security zone will be enforced throughout the night. At daybreak, authorities will require that boaters keep one mile away from the ship as it settles in on the bottom.
The FWC expect hundreds of specators and will have entra personnel on the water to make sure all boating rules and regulations are strictly enforced.
The artificial reef will not open to the public until workers with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary install mooring buoys and determine that the wreck is safe for diving and fishing. This could happen in 24 hours or it might take longer.
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Congratulations Joe Weatherby! Hope you get to ride her down!
Posted by: Stephanie | May 27, 2009 at 09:43 AM