Scuba Diving Blog

The sinking of the Vandenberg that was originally scheduled for May 15th was postponed until after the 2008 hurricane season. The project which was originally estimated to cost $5.7 million is now estimated to cost $8 million dollars.

Unfortunately that means we now have to wait until after November 30th. Good news to those who were not able to attend.

So… assuming that they are able to raise the money (keep your fingers crossed), I hope to see you after the hurricane season.  I will update you when I hear the new scheduled date.  If you hear soon, please let me know!

If you are going to be in the Key West area, or want to take a trip, the Vandenberg is scheduled to be sunk off the coast on May 15th to create an artificial reef.

I am in no way an expert on the military or this ship, but I have found some information on the history of this ship.

The USS Vandenberg is over 520 feet long and weights approximately 13,000 tons.  Originally commissioned by the US Navy under the name USS/USNS General Harry Taylor, the ship was used in 1944 to transport troops in WWII. 

The US Air Force converted the General Harry Taylor to a Missile Range Instrumentation ship and renamed it the USAFS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg in 1963.

In 1983, the ship was sent to Maritime Administration MARAD Reserve Fleet, James River, VA. 

In 1996, Universal Studios leased it to film the movie “Virus” 

 Plans are being made in Key West to host a “Sink Week” celebration along with the sinking of this ship. 

Read more about Key West’s “Sink Week”  at http://www.keywest.com/vandenberg.htm

If you live in the Ft Lauderdale area or are visiting April 18-20th, you might want to check out Ocean Fest 2008. It looks to be a great time!

Everything from raffles, live shows, photography contests, diving treasure hunt, to a free introductory scuba class.

If you want more information, the website is www.oceanfest.com

We hope to see you there!

My husband picked up an old issue of Scuba Diving Magazine and was flipping through. He randomly says out loud, ” wow, that’s pretty cool!” So, my curiosity awoken, I ask him what he is commenting about and his response is “naked people under water” as he flashes the page in front of me.

Of course after reading the article, there is much more to it than just naked people. First, it’s naked statues, not live people. It is an article about underwater art off the coast of Grenada designed to promote fish life. The artist is Jason Taylor and the title is “Vicissitues.”

If you want to read more about it, pick up the October 2007 issue of Scuba Diving Magazine or you can visit Jason Taylors website at http://www.underwatersculpture.com/pages/artist/about-3.htm

I couldn’t sleep so I thought I would update this blog since I haven’t been keeping it up as much as I had hoped to.  Give it time… Eventually we’ll have it up to it’s full potential.

Tim (my husband) and I are planning a trip to Australia with some friends.  The details are still being worked out, but we are dying to dive the Great Barrier Reef.

I have dreamed of traveling to Australia since I was about 5 years old and first fell in love with the Koala Bear.  I have studied the country for years and still haven’t made it there.  Now, the thing that excites me the most about going there is diving of course.

So, I am doing a lot of research and as I come across interesting dive information I will post it.  In the meantime, if anybody has any information on diving in Australia, please send me an email or post a comment.  Send me your favorite photos.  I would love to hear all of your insight.

I hope to hear some great feedback!!!

Kami@scubadivingblog.net

If you are looking to travel to Bonaire, or have already traveled to Bonaire (and therefore are dying to go back), then you should take a look at the new website created by Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire (STINAPA Bonaire), a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the Bonaire National park.

The website includes information about the parks, and, what I have been looking at for the last hour, a list and description of dive sites separated by location. I now realize just how many times I will have to go back to visit all the sites, but the Hilma Hooker and Alice and Wonderland will always be my favorites…

Visit the website at… http://www.stinapa.org/

A couple months ago, my husband, two friends, and I went to Venice, Florida to go diving. It was recommended to use by a divemaster/captain friend of ours.

We went on “The Hammerhead” boat through Florida West Scuba School and had the time of our lives. If you’re looking to find Megalodon fossils, this is the place to go. The area is a prehistoric feeding ground for sharks.

We found dozens of different size shark teeth fossils and my husband even found a 2 inch Megalodon.

To learn more, or to charter a dive, go to www.floridawestscuba.com

Have a great time!

A friend of mine is getting married next summer in Hawaii and they are going to be going to Maui for their Honeymoon. They are both divers, but have never been diving in Maui. She had asked me what the diving is like in Maui, and since I have never been to Hawaii at all, I only knew what I have seen in the dive magazines.

So, after doing some research online, I came across a great website almost instantly. If you’re interested in Maui diving, here’s where you should start…

http://www.maui-scuba.com/

If you go, tell me how it is and send pictures!!! I will make it there eventually…