Oriskany sinking set for May 17

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Pensacola News Journal
By William Rabb
March 02, 2006

If all goes according to plan, the Oriskany will sink to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico on May 17, and scuba divers could be allowed on the decommissioned aircraft carrier as soon as two days later, local and Navy officials said Wednesday.

"To all those disbelievers who said this would never happen, I accept your apologies," joked retired Vice Adm. Jack Fetterman, who has spearheaded the effort to secure the famed Navy ship, during a meeting on the project at the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Oriskany, which saw duty in the Korean and Vietnam wars, will become the first aircraft carrier to be scuttled deliberately as an artificial reef so close to shore -- 22.5 miles south of Pensacola.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave final approval for the sinking last month. Navy officials said Wednesday that the ship should return to the Pensacola Naval Air Station next Wednesday from Texas, where it rode out the 2005 hurricane season.

Work will begin shortly to clean it up and prepare it for sinking, said Capt. Pete Frano, commanding officer of Pensacola NAS.

Navy and county officials outlined several key points about the sinking, which has been three years in the making and is expected to draw hundreds of tourists annually:

No one other than workers will be allowed on the ship while it is being prepared for sinking, and while it is being towed to sea.

No ceremonies will be conducted when tugs begin towing the Oriskany out to sea, probably around May 15, because explosives already will be on board. Instead, a special ceremony for former crew members and invited guests will be conducted May 13 at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola NAS.

Private boats will be allowed to witness the sinking but must stay at least a mile away from the Oriskany at all times. The sinking will commence at first light on May 17, and it could take all day for the ship's hull to fill with water.

The 48- to 96-hour wait period is necessary before diving is allowed to make sure no material breaks loose from the 888-foot carrier. Security boats will be on hand to keep divers away until safety is assured, officials said.

The coordinates of the sinking location are: 30 degrees, 2 minutes north latitude, and 87 degrees, 0 minutes west longitude, said Robert Turpin, Escambia County's chief of marine resources.

National Geographic filmmakers are expected to document the entire preparation and scuttling process.

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