You've probably heard the news about the proposed sinking of the missile tracking ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg off of Key West, Florida. The Vandenberg, at over 520 feet and 13,000 tons, will be the largest ship ever intentionally sunk as an artificial reef. This site will be the signature dive of Key West and the Florida Keys, and will become one of the most famous warm-water wrecks in the world.

And now you have the chance to name it! For the small price of $1.3 million, you can purchase the right to name the artificial reef! I'm thinking something like ?Raf's Cool Dive Spot?.

The organizers listed the naming rights on eBay in order to raise the balance of the $5.7 million needed for the project. Bidding started at 900,000, but sadly, on 3 bids were placed and the highest bidder did not meet the $1.3 reserve.

According to ARK (Artificial Reefs of the Keys), the keel and screw will rest at 140' The tops of the bridge, com rooms, crow's nest and the vast dish antennas will be only 40' below the surface in normally clear gulf stream waters. Lying outside the reef line, about 6 miles offshore, the wreck will often be visible even to snorkelers and glass bottom boats.

Comments:

	Posted by Richesb, Jan-20-2007 @ 09:30 AM CST No Takers!!!!!!!!!!!!
	Posted by danthescubaman, Mar-14-2007 @ 03:36 PM CDT "small Price" jeeze... i'm trying to build an artificial reef in Boca for my eagle project, I aint planning to spend 1.3 million though...
	Posted by fredfriendly12345, Mar-30-2007 @ 10:32 PM CDT I like the name, and think it should stay as it is now. Tom Vandenberg
	Posted by JimHilton, Sep-2-2007 @ 03:17 AM CDT How much diving can one do for 1.3 mil?
	Posted by bludvr, Oct-26-2007 @ 01:56 PM CDT If I'm not mistaken, I beleive the USS Oriskany was the largest ship ever sunk as an artificial reef at 911 feet long and 30,000 tons. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I doubt it.
	Posted by velorider62, Jan-16-2008 @ 10:50 AM CST Yes, the Uss Oriskany is around 888 feet long...
	Posted by n0mb, Feb-2-2008 @ 11:58 AM CST The good citizens of Monroe County paid $2M for sinking the Vandenberg. Additionally, $1M came from the City of Key West and another $1M came from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council - $4M in tax money from the local citizens. Now they're selling the name to someone else? Did these people raise any money from any other source other than taxes? This may not be the largest artificail reef ever sunk, but I'll bet it is the most expensive. Monroe County has layed off 50 employees because of this (and one other) boondoggle. The organizers should be ashamed that they are operating this venture on the backs of the local taxpayers! Would you, as a diver, be willing to pay a $20 local head boat tax to dive the Vandenberg? It is estimated that that would raise $40k/year...
	Posted by islandhopper, Feb-28-2008 @ 12:06 PM CST I hear your gonna sink my ship,Back in 64, I ate,slep,and dove off the deck of the Vandenberg. I was one of two recovery divers employed by Pan AM to recover rocket engines shot from the Cape. I had a very rewarding time working for Pan Am. Some of the tales you woulden't belive. Sad to hear that the ship is gonna be sunk. But on the other hand, What a dive site it will make. I sure would like to be there when it happens. As far as a boat tax, for some reason tax money has away of going astray, and we are still paying tax on the Spanish Americarn war. Boat tax?? There will be hundreds of boats that will never go there, why should there be a tax on all boats. If there is a tax it should be the divers that go there pay the tax, Since tax money has a way of going astray, a cash deal is what I recommend. Get the cash then sink it. Another tax? just what we need.
	Posted by JOHNSOMA27, Jun-26-2008 @ 04:41 PM CDT The State of Florida has 7 tubes throwing shit 24 hours a day 1 to 3.5 miles out to sea, this money should be used to clean their stinking act first, before they kill every coral head around. Or everybody will be diving in wrecks full of shit soon!.
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