Vandenberg Down!

Keys Marine Lab offered the use of their 25' Parker, the R/V Mola Mola, and a team of divers to assist with the Vandenberg Project May 27-28th off of Key West.


The 525' navy vessel, the USS Hoyt Vandenberg, built in 1943 and used as a troop transport ship during WW II, then as a missile tracking ship, was decommissioned in 1986. After 16 years of fund-raising and planning, the "Vandy" was towed to Key West in May 2009 for final preparations for sinking. The Vandenberg is now the 2nd largest artificial reef in the world and is expected to attract many eager divers.














Marine mammal and turtle watch within the Zone of Impact (within 0.3 nm of the hull)

















First blast detonated at 10:22am....


























...last view of the stern...



...totally below the surface in less than 2 minutes!














The bomb squad checked the hull for unexploded ordinances (glad to let them go first!) FKNMS personnel did the final safety check and rigging for the 6 mooring balls and then....

KML & FWRI staff were the first research divers to view the Vandy and record depths of the structures above the main deck. (photos by K. Mille)

first view of the stern at 92'


one of the radar satellite towers (64' depth)

divers exploring the upper decks



















The Conch Republic...even under the sea!














Bow of the USS Hoyt Vandenberg (at 97' depth)
















Assent back to the real world but the memories of a once-in-a-lifetime dive!