New Wreck Coming

[Rob9876]

The panhandle is a long drive which is the only practical way to get there, visibility is poor, water isn't a pretty blue color, and it's expensive to dive there. Diving is already adequate in much more desirable locations in SE Florida. You feel the need to point out all the great wrecks that have been sunk in the panhandle over the years, because most divers are unaware of them, as they just don't care for all the reasons previously stated. Most non divers don't want to drive several hours just to sit on a white sandy beach when there are plenty of great places to soak up the sun within easy reach.

A long drive for who? For most of the U.S. the panhandle is closer than SE Florida. And as to the rest of your comment above too -- should we all be so fixated on SE Florida diving that no one should bother diving anywhere else? And yes, millions of people are already coming to the panhandle for the beaches, and lots of people are diving there too -- just because some people are unaware of diving there doesn't mean the rest of us are too. Reef Smart makes a good NW Florida Scuba Guidebook for those who want to learn more.

You "hope" the new wreck won't be as deep and as far out as it's going to be. Excuse my candor but hopium is not an effective strategy. The location has been determined and that's not going to change just because a bunch of people are complaing that it's not convenient. The wreck is too big, it HAS to be placed 20 miles out because that's where the water gets deep enough that it won't present a naviagational hazard and even then the stacks need to be cut down which to me detracts from the beauty of the wreck.

Have they announced the specific destination for it to be sunk, because I've only heard somewhere around Destin? Because of the height of the ship (175 feet), the stacks would need to be cut anywhere in order for the ship to be low enough in navigable water and at the same time for most of the ship to be within recreational dive limits.

 

[Nemrod]

It will be super fun if the stacks are removed so the ship can be reached by recreational divers. I think the minimum depth for navigation is 60 feet.

 

[Waterwulf]

Sure the Florida Panhandle is a long drive....if you live far away. Duh! But there are many many divers who live close enough to take advantage of the new wreck. No, the water isn't a pretty blue, at least not close to shore but it does get better the further out you go. I dove those waters for many years when I lived in Fort Walton Beach. That combined with the incredible beaches, the wildlife areas and the many areas to explore by boat make it a good trip. No, driving is not the only practical way to get there. There is a major airport in the area plus several smaller ones.

 

[chaad]

To all the Destin diving haters: your community is free to buy a giant ship and sink it wherever you want. Okaloosa County purchased the SS United States and is paying to prepare it and sink it. Any community in South Florida can choose to do the same. So instead of getting mad, get busy.

 

[CT-Rich]

I think a lot of the divers that want to dive this type of wreck will be happy to drop money in the local and have the resources to do so. CCR divers and tech divers have dumped a lot of money into gear and are going to spend money.

They will also have been other places where 100’+ visibility is not the norm. I think this is probably going to be a good investment and become a destination dive. Besides, how many people are going to feel the need to drop all the way to the sand on an artificial reef?

Much like a mall the Panhandle wants an anchor attraction, then they will have other wrecks to act as alternatives.

 

[chaad]

No one's mad, me and many others simply think it's a waste of time, effort and money

Here's the rub: it isn't zero sum. Sinking this one in Destin doesn't stop other communities from doing the same with other ships. While there's only one SS United States, there are plenty of other giant ships scrapped every year. I'd love to see more wrecks in areas with better viz, closer to shore, so let's do that *too*. Also, keep in mind this is being funded with local dollars. These funds aren't available to sink ships elsewhere. While it can be debated over the best use of these funds within Okaloosa County government, using them to sink a ship in another location isn't a possibility.

 

[chaad]

I'd think that most people following this thread are aware that there's no specific limit as to the number of ships that can be sunk off the coast of Florida and the sinking of this one doesn't prevent the sinking of another one.

Sure wouldn't know it reading through the comments.

 

[Rilelen]

As someone in north central Florida, I’m excited for a new dive site that is *not* in southeast Florida/the keys. The panhandle already has great caves (JB, Twin, Hole in the Wall), and the Oriskany, adding this new one will really make it worth a little road trip out there. And, if the ocean dives get blown out, there’s always the springs and caves to fall back on. Morrison is a beautiful OW/cavern dive.