The Navy announced today that it intends to transfer the former aircraft
carrier ex-ORISKANY (CVA 34) to the State of Florida for use as an
artificial reef. The Navy was granted authority to transfer obsolete
warships to States for artificial reefing purposes under the Fiscal Year
2004 National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 108-136).
"This selection represents another step forward in the Navy's efforts to
safely reduce its inventory of obsolete ships by cost-effective means that
also have proven benefits to the marine environment" commented Rear Admiral
Charles S. Hamilton, the Navy's Program Executive Officer, Ships. Captain
Lawrence M. Jones, Jr., Program Manager, Inactive Ships Program Office (PMS
333) reports to Rear Admiral Hamilton for all inactive ships matters, and is
now managing the Navy's artificial reefing program under this new authority.
Since 1972, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has had the authority
to transfer obsolete vessels for artificial reefing purposes. Recognizing
that both agencies have an inventory of vessels appropriate for such use,
the Navy and MARAD recently joined in a cooperative effort for making
suitable obsolete Navy warships and MARAD merchant-type vessels available
for use as artificial reefs.
The Navy's decision to transfer ex-ORISKANY to the State of Florida is the
culmination of many hours of hard work on the part of the Navy and MARAD.
Four applications were submitted by five States (one each from the States of
Florida, Mississippi and Texas and a joint proposal from Georgia/South
Carolina). After a thorough Navy/MARAD review and analysis of these
applications, the Navy concluded that the State of Florida proposal for
using ex-ORISKANY as an artificial reef provides the best value to the U.S.
government. Before transfer of ex-ORISKANY can occur, the Navy's contractor
will perform work necessary to environmentally prepare the ship for sinking
as an artificial reef. Once this work and other details are complete, the
Navy will execute a transfer agreement with the State of Florida and expects
the ship to be sunk for use as an artificial reef before the end of the
summer 2004.
The Navy looks forward to continuing its cooperative effort with MARAD to
support artificial reefing in an efficient, effective, safe and
environmentally sound manner. Further questions can be referred to NAVSEA
Public Affairs at (202)781-2975.
Pat Dolan
Deputy Director, NAVSEA Congressional
and Public Affairs
Where you ask?
From what I here it will be 22 Nautical miles off Pensacola. They will be sinking it in 215 feet of water, as there is a 55 foot minimum depth clearance at the permitted Escambia site. The keel to top of the island is 159 feet. Waterline length is 820 feet, but LOA is almost 890 feet. Beam is 93 feet.
Based on keel to flight deck distance of 90 feet, the flight deck should be around 125 feet. Hangars should be around 150 or so.
Edited by HDrider, 06 April 2004 - 05:41 AM.
