While still incomplete her construction was suspended 12 August 1947. Two of the cameras got some truly incredible footage, including the now famous "wall of water" rushing up inside the hangar bay. Please remember, we do not own the boats, and all charter fees and policies are set by the captains. Nicknamed the USS Zippo. (Lon 87° 0.397'W) Divers are reminded that conditions change over time as the structure is influenced by … Two sailors were re-stowing unexpended MK-24 Mod 3 Flares when one was accidentally dropped. All of the major attractions on the ship are still intact including the iconic "34" on the port side of the island. Most of the Island including the admiral's and navigation bridges, chart plotting room, captains and admirals sea cabins, and primary flight bridge is above 130ft, and there's plenty to see above 100' making her a great dive for all skill levels! USS ORISKANY was a TICONDEROGA class aircraft carrier; her keel was laid in the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard on 01 May 1944. FWC has compiled this page to help acquaint divers with some specific issues related to the Oriskany artificial reef and to remind divers of some basic scuba safety protocols that should be applied for a safe dive. The FWC encourages all scuba divers choosing to dive the Oriskany artificial reef to establish a plan for a safe and enjoyable dive experience. USS Oriskany Dive Charters are running daily, and we can accommodate groups or individuals. I have been diagnosed with AO by VA. Without his leadership along the way, the Oriskany project would likely have never been completed. Oriskany (CV-34), an attack aircraft carrier, was laid down 1 May 1944 by the New York Naval Shipyard; launched 13 October 1945; and sponsored by Mrs. Ida D. Cannon, wife of the Honorable Clarence Cannon, Congressman of the 9th District of Missouri. James Stockdale and John McCain were both based on Oriskany when they were shot down over North Vietnam and became Prisoners of War.Despite being one of the smallest and oldest Aircraft carriers in service at the time, Oriskany launched more aircraft sorties, Oriskany pilots flew more missions, and Oriskany lost more aircraft and men to enemy fire than any other carrier in the Navy during the war in Vietnam.The USS Oriskany was decommissioned on September 30, 1976 and was sent into preservation in Bremerton Washington until she was stricken from the record in 1989. USS Oriskany (CV-34) "The Great Carrier Reef" - On May 17, 2006 the 911' US Aircraft Carrier was sunk approximately 26.5 miles southeast of Pensacola pass making it the world's largest intentionally-created artificial reef. She was intentionally sank as an artificial reef on May 17, 2006. An in-depth survey and additional research showed that this portion of the island was built using light weight materials and was not "structural" in nature. We encourage all divers to speak with local dive shops prior to planning your dive to determine the most recent dive conditions on the Oriskany and plan accordingly. The USS Oriskany is a memorial to the thousands of men whom served on board during her years of service. The reefing process covered several years, millions of dollars, and sheer fortitude by a group of dedicated people to complete. They approved 10% for hearing. From 71 to 74. Construction was suspended until the start of the war in Korea, and then she was rushed to completion and was commissioned on September 25th, 1950.Oriskany completed her first deployment to the Mediterranean in 1951 in support of Allied efforts to prevent Soviet aggression through Eastern Europe and the near east. The USS Oriskany: she was a fearsome presence in the wars at Korea and Vietnam. Going below a depth of 135 feet requires technical training and special equipment. Plan on doing a longer safety stop, (5 minutes at 15 feet instead of the normal 3 minutes). I was an AT2 attached to VA 155 TAD to ship's company IM avionics from the fall of 69 till Dec of 1971. The Vietnam War Era covered by … USS Oriskany – nicknamed Mighty O, and occasionally referred to as the O-boat – was one of the few Essex-class aircraft carriers completed after World War II for the United States Navy. Maximum depths should be planned based on the buddy with the lowest level of training, experience, proficiency and equipment. Always us the buddy system and know your buddy's gear. Begin the dive swimming into the current to conserve energy and return with the current. It was death for the USS Oriskany, an aircraft carrier with battle stars for service in the Korean and Vietnam wars, but it was also a rebirth. Divers must have an alternate air source - octo or redundant air system. Dive your deepest part of the dive first, stay a very short time. We had a lot of fires! In October, 1966 the ORISKANY Yet they will not grant any compisation. 620 S. Meridian St. • Tallahassee, FL • (850) 488-4676 As a joint effort between U.S. Navy, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and Escambia County, the USS Oriskany was sunk on May 17, 2006, approximately 22.5 nautical miles South East of Pensacola Pass at a depth of 212 feet. The Pensacola area offers more than a thousand individual dive sites, catering to all experience levels and interests. Copyright 1999 - 2021 State of Florida. We had been told about their placement on the ship, but we were surprised and humbled to see them so prominently displayed on the Island at flight deck level. Several aircraft were destroyed, and the ship was forced to return to the US for repairs. Survey dives revealed no additional damage or settling from Hurricane Ike. Pensacola has however been long overlooked as the incredible dive destination that it really is. All divers wishing to dive the USS Oriskany must have a minimum of 20 logged dives. Hull number CV-34 USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) - nicknamed Mighty O, The O-boat, and Toasted O - was one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carrierscompleted during or shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. Diving the Oriskany is best done with a plan, but not one that is too ambitious. In June of 2005, with no short term end to the red tape in sight, and with hurricane season upon us, Oriskany was towed back to the better protected location of the reserve fleet in Beaumont TX to wait for a decision that would allow the project to go forward. The top of the smokestack is 84ft deep. Plans of the ship are available, and the staff at MBT is available to help you plan your dives - WE DO NOT PLAN YOUR DIVES FOR YOU! Oriskany was back in combat less than a year later. The massive carrier lays in 212' of water with the Contact us for help in choosing the charter operation that best fits your needs. The work was thorough to the point that they removed the wooden flight deck because of the fuels, hydraulic fluids, and more that had contaminated the deck over 30 years. Divers should have advance training to go beyond 100 feet. NOTHING is to be removed from the ship, and please refrain from placing graffiti on her. USS Oriskany The USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) is a 904ft long US Navy aircraft carrier. On the morning of May 17, 2006, the scuttling charges were detonated and almost immediately Oriskany began to settle lower in the water. In early 2006, the Navy finally got the approval from the EPA to continue with the project, and the preparation of the ship was begun without delay. Her first stay in Pensacola was largely overshadowed by this process, and very little material work was done to prepare the ship. USS Oriskany. Divers that have visited Oriskany since Ida have all agreed that the "gap" is an overall improvement for divers as well as marine life. Advanced Divers or those with deep diver specialty certifications: Must have completed 2 logged dives at or below 80 feet in the last year to dive without a guide. USS ORISKANY (CV-34) Oriskany (CVA-34) an attack aircraft carrier was laid down 1 May 1944 by the New York Naval Shipyard launched 13 October 1945; and sponsored by Mrs. Clarence Cannon. These iron-fist images fit with my work today, writing about the decommissioned USS Oriskany. Tweet. Oct 20, 2017 - My old ship. Always have someone at the surface and never leave your boat unattended while diving. The Oriskany is sitting upright on the seafloor in a north-south orientation with the bow facing due south. The Oriskany saw significant combat service in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars. With another hurricane season approaching, the Navy set an ambitious target date of May 15th for the deployment, and work continued at an impressive rate. Most Iconic Sites as reported in SCUBA Diving magazine, May 2011 "You'll need a chin strap to dive the USS Oriskany to keep your jaw from dropping once you experience the Everest-like proportions of the world's largest artificial reef. Most of the Island including the flag and nav bridges, chart plotting room, captains and admirals at sea cabins, and Pri Fly is above the recreational diving limit of 130ft. Any of the information provided below is subject to change at any time. The table below contains the names of sailors who served aboard the USS Oriskany (CV 34). The back portion of the flight deck is decked in aluminum The Oriskany was towed to the Port of Pensacola in late December of 2004, where she sat while the county, state, federal government, and the Navy crawled through what seemed like endless red tape. Coordinates for the Island - N30:02.542 W87:00.374; Reefing the USS Oriskany. At all times, divers should follow the guidelines and safe diving practices provided during their training. Laid down at the New York Naval Shipyard on May 1, 1944, USS Oriskany (CV-34) was intended to be a "long-hull" Essex-class aircraft carrier. Please check back later to see the Flickr show. The USS Oriskany is a world-class dive … 44 men were killed, many in their sleep by toxic fumes. Location in Oneida County and the state of New York. The next morning, divers from Resolve Marine, the US Navy, the state of Florida, and MBT Divers conducted the first dives on Oriskany in rough conditions and building seas. Always carry a visual signal device such as an inflatable 'safety sausage' to signal your location in the event you and/or your team become separated from your anchor line and surface away from your boat. USS Oriskany (CV 34) Crew List. Must have completed 2 logged dives within the last year or complete a refresher dive. Due to past storms and settlement over time, the Oriskany Reef depths have changed. USS Oriskany CV/CVA34 Custom Personalized 8.5 X 11 Print of US Navy Ships Unique Gift Idea for any Occasions NavyPrideCreations 4.5 out of 5 stars (267) The USS Oriskany, affectionately referred to as “The Mighty O” was a U.S. Navy Essex-class aircraft carrier named for the Revolutionary War Battle of the same name. Those in the know call her the “Mighty O.” To the wags at CNN, she’s the “great carrier reef.” Attack Squadron 163, USS Oriskany (CVA-34) Date of Birth: 25 August 1938: Home of Record: Hallwell, ME: Date of Loss: 18 July 1965: Country of Loss: South Vietnam/Over Water: Loss Coordinates: 091959N 1085057E (BL638323) Click coordinates to view maps: Status in 1973: Killed/Body Not Recovered: Category: 5: Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: A4E "Skyhawk" "The Mighty O" may she rest in peace. The population was 1,400 at the 2010 census. Hatches, ladders, decks, and bulkheads were also removed prior to deployment. In 2006, under carefully controlled conditions, she was deliberately sunk off the coast of Florida. We are grateful to those that helped to get her here and get her deployed as the largest artificial reef in the world. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. The igniter had not been reset to SAFE. A one-of-a-kind diving experience, the sunken aircraft carrier USS Oriskany is the largest artificial reef in the world. There are many charter operators in the Pensacola area that regularly run trips to the USS Oriskany. The uppermost structure of the Oriskany is located at:Latitude 30 degrees 2 minutes 33.3 seconds north (Lat 30° 2.555' N)Longitude 87 degrees 0 minutes 23.8 seconds west. Built shortly after World War II, the “Mighty O” served primarily in the Pacific, earning two battle stars for service in the Korean War and ten battle stars for service in the Vietnam War. Rushing water and the concussion from the explosives caused severe damage to the lightweight aluminum bulkheads that made up a large portion of the internal structure of the ship. I have double bypass , steel rods in my back,and no feelings in my legs or arms.