'Carrier reef' to buoy local economy
_________________________________________________________________
Gulf Breeze News
By Franklin Hayes
May 23, 2006
Robert Turpin, Escambia County
Marine Resource Div. Chief, dives
Oriskany to assess its position
within hours of its sinking.
Hundreds looked on from the bows of sea vessels as thousands more tuned in online and on television to watch the "Mighty O" make its final descent into the emerald depths of the Gulf of Mexico.
A floating amalgamation of onlookers, media, former shipmates and curious mariners sounded their approval as 22 explosives decimated the infrastructure of the felicitous reef to be.
After two years of uncertainty, divers, spear fishermen and surface anglers alike now have their holy grail, the largest intentionally submerged man made reef in the world.
"I just finished diving the Oriskany," reported Robert Turpin, Chief of the Escambia County Marine Resources Division, in a cell phone call immediately after his descent. "It's sitting upright and facing south, just as planned. It's perfect." Turpin deemed the project a "terrific success" thanks to the hard work of many people over the last three and a half years. U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) divers also confirmed the upright positioning of the wreck.
Robert Turpin, Escambia County Marine Resource Div. Chief, dives Oriskany to assess its position within hours of its sinking.
Many anticipate being among the first to explore the historical reef, flooding local businesses with inquiries. Turpin took a group of divers from the National Geographic on Friday, only days after the craft became a reef.
"It has made things busier. The potential for economic gain is definitely there," said Fritz Sharar with MBT Divers.
Gene Ferguson, owner of Scuba Shack Wet Dream Charters in Pensacola, says his company has been inundated with Oriskany related business, citing an estimated 80 percent increase from the same time last year. "We've got them calling like crazy," Ferguson said, also adding that he's received calls from interested parties in the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Australia just to name a few. "People thought it wouldn't sink. Now that it's down, the bookings are coming in," Ferguson said.
Local dive shops are not the only beneficiaries of the downed ship. The Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau released a statement regarding the new man made reef: "A 1998 study, funded by the state of Florida, by researchers from Florida State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that artificial reefs generate more than $92 million in annual spending by locals and visitors in Escambia County. An additional interpretation by NOAA in 2006 indicates the Oriskany will add an average of $9 million in annual spending." The study also focused on supplementary jobs the reef may bring to the area, estimating $2.1 million in additional annual wages.
Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce director Sandy Johnston is also hopeful the "Mighty O" will bring additional business to the beach. "We're just delighted it's finally here. This is where it belongs and it's here to stay," Johnston said. The director also mentioned that the now submerged Oriskany will attract divers of many types to the area. It will attract people that never thought to dive in the Pensacola area, as well as those who have already been here to dive the USS Massachusetts, Johnston said. The USS Massachusetts (BB-2), one of the many other explorable shipwrecks in the area, has been in Pensacola Bay since the 1920's.
Since the flight deck of the "Mighty O" is below the limit of most open water divers at more than 130 feet, most people will explore the part of the ship referred to as "the island." The island is the large tower structure that protrudes from the flight deck, and is where the bridge and navigation systems of the ship are located. Shrar offered safety advice to those who may venture out to the Oriskany site without professional assistance.
"We want [divers operating from private boats] to stay within their personal diving limits, make sure your gear is properly serviced and in good working order. Dive conservatively, and do not penetrate the wreck." Shrar added that for someone not trained as a technical diver, it could be very easy to get lost inside of the ship, as some areas will be devoid of light. "If people dive within their boundaries, it is a phenomenal dive," Shrar said.
____
www.artificial-reffs.blogspot.com
A floating amalgamation of onlookers, media, former shipmates and curious mariners sounded their approval as 22 explosives decimated the infrastructure of the felicitous reef to be.
After two years of uncertainty, divers, spear fishermen and surface anglers alike now have their holy grail, the largest intentionally submerged man made reef in the world.
"I just finished diving the Oriskany," reported Robert Turpin, Chief of the Escambia County Marine Resources Division, in a cell phone call immediately after his descent. "It's sitting upright and facing south, just as planned. It's perfect." Turpin deemed the project a "terrific success" thanks to the hard work of many people over the last three and a half years. U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) divers also confirmed the upright positioning of the wreck.
Robert Turpin, Escambia County Marine Resource Div. Chief, dives Oriskany to assess its position within hours of its sinking.
Many anticipate being among the first to explore the historical reef, flooding local businesses with inquiries. Turpin took a group of divers from the National Geographic on Friday, only days after the craft became a reef.
"It has made things busier. The potential for economic gain is definitely there," said Fritz Sharar with MBT Divers.
Gene Ferguson, owner of Scuba Shack Wet Dream Charters in Pensacola, says his company has been inundated with Oriskany related business, citing an estimated 80 percent increase from the same time last year. "We've got them calling like crazy," Ferguson said, also adding that he's received calls from interested parties in the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and Australia just to name a few. "People thought it wouldn't sink. Now that it's down, the bookings are coming in," Ferguson said.
Local dive shops are not the only beneficiaries of the downed ship. The Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau released a statement regarding the new man made reef: "A 1998 study, funded by the state of Florida, by researchers from Florida State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows that artificial reefs generate more than $92 million in annual spending by locals and visitors in Escambia County. An additional interpretation by NOAA in 2006 indicates the Oriskany will add an average of $9 million in annual spending." The study also focused on supplementary jobs the reef may bring to the area, estimating $2.1 million in additional annual wages.
Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce director Sandy Johnston is also hopeful the "Mighty O" will bring additional business to the beach. "We're just delighted it's finally here. This is where it belongs and it's here to stay," Johnston said. The director also mentioned that the now submerged Oriskany will attract divers of many types to the area. It will attract people that never thought to dive in the Pensacola area, as well as those who have already been here to dive the USS Massachusetts, Johnston said. The USS Massachusetts (BB-2), one of the many other explorable shipwrecks in the area, has been in Pensacola Bay since the 1920's.
Since the flight deck of the "Mighty O" is below the limit of most open water divers at more than 130 feet, most people will explore the part of the ship referred to as "the island." The island is the large tower structure that protrudes from the flight deck, and is where the bridge and navigation systems of the ship are located. Shrar offered safety advice to those who may venture out to the Oriskany site without professional assistance.
"We want [divers operating from private boats] to stay within their personal diving limits, make sure your gear is properly serviced and in good working order. Dive conservatively, and do not penetrate the wreck." Shrar added that for someone not trained as a technical diver, it could be very easy to get lost inside of the ship, as some areas will be devoid of light. "If people dive within their boundaries, it is a phenomenal dive," Shrar said.
____
www.artificial-reffs.blogspot.com
posted by Pedro Caleja @ 9:30 AM
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