Contact Us
Robert K. Turpin
Manager of Marine Resources
3363 West Park Place
Pensacola, FL 32505
Ph:(850) 595-4395
Fax: (850) 595-3495
Marine Programs
Oriskany Reef
The Oriskany Reef was deployed on the morning of May 17, 2006 at a water depth of 212 feet, approximately 22.5 nautical miles southeast of Pensacola Pass. The exact position was selected because it had the necessary water depth that allowed the ship to be reefed and maintain the 55-foot navigational clearance required by US Army Corps of Engineers permit. Because the ship is wider than it is tall, and there was no guarantee that the ship would not land on her side, the ship's 157-foot beam was used to determine the water depth. The Oriskany landed on the EXACT planned coordinates, and is sitting perfectly upright on the seafloor facing due south.
Because the Oriskany is in deep water and can be affected by strong water currents, divers are strongly encouraged to use extreme caution when diving this reef. Novice divers should gain additional training and experience before attempting to dive Oriskany. All divers should follow the guidelines and safe diving practices provided during their training.
Due to the complex nature of the ship's interior and the unknown extent of structural damages caused by the reefing process, divers should not enter the ship under any circumstances. Divers should not remove any items from the ship, and there is no reason for anyone to enter the ship's interior. There is nothing inside the ship worth dying for!
The Oriskany Reef is located at 30° 02.600'N; 87° 00.400'W. The uppermost structure is located at 30° 02.555'N; 87° 00.397'W.
The following organizations and individuals made a contribution, helping to make this event possible:
Alan Kellis, Amy Lovoy, Arthur J. Gless, Big Lagoon Designs by Alan Woolford, Bill Mills, Cathy Watson, CCA-Florida Pensacola Chapter, Charlie Gonzalez, Daniel E. Nieves, David Musselwhite, Deborah Norton, Detailed Builders LLC., Dodie Overton, Dolores E. Knaus, Don J. Suarez, Kristi Suarez, Don Stuart, Doyle Butler, Earl Young, Earle M. Rader Jr., Ed Fish, Eilene Beard, Entertainer Charter Boat Service, Fly Fishers of Northwest Florida, Georgiana Jan Teschel, Gerald R. Goldstein, Greg & Bethany Barfield, Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle Inc., Gulfcoast Barracuda Dive Club, Holiday Harbor Marina, J. Taylor Kirschenfeld, James E. Link, Jerry T. Webb, Jim Watley, Joan P. Allen & Keitheley T. Wilkins, Jodie L. Manale, John Fetzer dba Francis J., Killinger Marine Center Inc., Kost Enterprises, Lou's Marine Inc., Mark Mueller, Michael L. Hardin, Michael M. Hajek Jr., Michael V. Frey, Norman L. White, Okaloosa County BOCC, One More Yard Inc., Outcast Bait and Tackle Inc., Paula & Donald Sigman, Bill Mills, Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge Inc. Pensacola Recreational Fishermans Assocation, R. A. Edwards, Ralph & Evon Emerson, Randy & Catherine Sharp, Red Snapper World Championship Inc., Robert O. Browning, Robert Turpin, Ronnie E. Yaden, Santa Rosa Stor-It, Scuba Shack, Inc., Sherry Atkinson, Southern Scrap Co. Inc., Stuart H. Stilman, Sunil Gupta MD, PA, Sunset Holding dba Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, Ted A. Meade, The Market on the Island, The Mostoller Group Realty LLC, Thomas E. J. & Doris M. Jacobi, Thomas P. Keener, Tim Stewart, Timothy R. Day, Walmart, Walter E. Williamson Jr., Walter F. Martin, Walter R. Wilkerson, Walter S. Phillips Jr., Wayne S. Willis MD, William R. & Alicia C. Bush.
For the detailed listing of contributions refer to Oriskany Contributer Listing.
