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The USS Oriskany prepares for last tour
by Melissa ShermanWayne A. Bennett, an associate professor of vertebrate physiology in UWF's biology department, said the ships excess contaminated materials generate a low risk on harming the marine life.
“The EPA and the Navy have done everything realistically possible to eliminate the contaminated materials in the Oriskany, but it is impossible to get it all,” Bennett said.
Bennett disagrees with the term artificial reef, but feels the Oriskany will become a
“fish attractive device” drawing snapper, grouper, and perhaps some bottom dwellers to the site. He also said the Oriskany will not produce large coral blooms that most people are familiar with, but invertebrates will colonize and produce a superstructure with smaller corals.
"Florida is one of the best states on preserving our habitats,” Bennett said, “We know how to manage and balance the needs of tourism with preserving the habitat.”
The execution of sinking the ship will take nearly eight hours, with strategically placed charges along the ship to flood the three thousand rooms slowly, so the ship does not roll over on its side.
Divers will have the ability to explore the ship the next day, once the Navy has checked to make sure all the charges successfully went off, Ferguson said.
Ferguson said publicity wouldn't be a problem for the USS Oriskany. He has already received calls from around the world and expects large groups to visit the reef.
The water will be so clear that the top of the ship will be viewable from the surface, attracting newer divers to the area.
“The experience is like stepping onto another planet,” Ferguson said.
The Pensacola Historical Society is offering parking lot lectures every Saturday at noon till the ship is sunk later this year. Robert Price, a former Oriskany crewman and UWF history graduate will conduct the lectures featuring the ship's history and stories. Each lecture should last 25 minutes and will occur rain or shine.
Editor's Note: In 2004 due to Hurricane Ivan hitting Pensacola, Florida and further delays due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the USS Oriskany was finally sunk successfully as planned in May 2006.
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