ex-USS Oriskany to Serve as Artificial Reef
By Chief Journalist Milinda D. The ex-USS Oriskany (CVA 34), the last Essex-class aircraft carrier in the fleet’s inactive ship inventory, served the Navy for more then 25 years, maintaining a powerful presence during the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict. Decommissioned September 1976, the ship is ready to do more sea time, only this time beneath the surface, serving as an artificial reef. “Artificial reefing benefits the economical environment of the respective state receiving the ship by relieving stress on the natural reef,” said Capt. Lawrence M. Jones Jr., program manager for the Inactive Ships Program Office, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
Navy Ex-Aircraft Carrier Sunk, Reefed off Pensacola
The ex-Oriskany, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, was sunk 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Fla., on May 17 to form an artificial reef. The 888-foot ship took about 37 minutes to sink below the surface. After 25 years of service to the Navy in operations in Korea, Vietnam and the Mediterranean, ex-Oriskany will now benefit marine life, sport fishing and recreation diving off the coast of the Florida panhandle. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jeffrey P. The ex-Oriskany, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, became the largest ship intentionally sunk as an artificial reef May 17 when it was sunk approximately 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Fla.
Oriskany to be Largest Ship Reefed
The decommissioned aircraft carrier ex-Oriskany (CV/CVA 34) will become the largest ship intentionally sunk as an artificial reef in mid-May. The 888-foot ship will be reefed in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola, Fla., and will benefit marine life, sport fishing and recreational diving in the area. In November 2004, President George Bush signed the 2004 National Defense Authorization Act, allowing the Navy to transfer inactive vessels to states, U.S. possessions, municipal corporations and municipalities for artificial reefing purposes. "The sinking of the ex-Oriskany will provide an additional offshore location for the regional recreational fishery and diving industries…
