May 28, 2009 10:27 pm US/Eastern
New Artificial Reef Should Open Saturday
Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg Turn Into Artificial Reef
Ex-Air Force Ship Sunk Off Key West
KEY WEST (CBS4) ―
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This was a close view of the Vandenberg moments before it went under water to become a new artificial reef off the coast of Key West.
CBS
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This was a close view of the Vandenberg moments before it went under water to become a new artificial reef off the coast of Key West.
CBS
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The Vandenburg moments before the ship sank to the ocean floor to create a new reef off the coast of Key West.
Jorge Estevez/CBS
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Smoke begins to rise from the Vandenburg as the ship begins the slow process of sinking.
Jorge Estevez/CBS
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Thick smokes repaces the area where large parts of the Vandenburg once sat.
Jorge Estevez/CBS
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Anticipation grows on ships surrounding the Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg as demolition experts prepare to send her to the bottom of the sea.
Jorge Estevez/CBS
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Spectators line the rail of a watch ship as demolition crews prepare to sink the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg off Key West.
CBS
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Camera crews get ready to film the sinking of the Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg off Key West.
Jorge Estevez/CBS
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The Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg will be sunk to create an artificial reef.
Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau
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The vessel was originally the U.S. Naval Ship Harry Taylor which transported U.S. troops fighting in World War II, but was re-commissioned as the Vandenberg in 1963.
Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau
The U.S.N.S. Vandenberg should be open for visitors beginning Saturday afternoon; but those visitors will have be outfitted properly.
Crews set off a series of explosions that sent the former warship to its new home Wednesday. It was considered a perfect sink for the former World War II ship. The ship was sunk to become an artificial reef.
The Vandenberg is situated about seven miles south of Key West. The bottom of the ship's hull rests on sand in depths that average 150 feet. But the ship is so massive that parts of the ship can be reached about 45 feet below the surface.
The installation of mooring buoys was completed Thursday afternoon, according to Kent Edwards of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Efforts are still needed to secure the vessel's two iconic tracking antenna dishes. They were torn off their pedestals but remained tethered to the ship by stabilizing cables when the ship was scuttled Wednesday.
A contractor is reportedly scheduled to arrive on site Friday morning to begin securing the dishes.
"We want a safe as possible dive experience for the public," said Jim Scholl, Key West City Manager and Vandenberg project administrator. "We certainly understand that divers are anxious to explore the wreck, but ask that they be patient and wait one more day."
Until Saturday, a 500-yard security zone will remain around the wreck site. No unauthorized vessels or divers are permitted in the zone.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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