Mighty Oriskany
The retired aircraft carrier Oriskany (1945-1976) was successfully reefed on May 17th 2006 approximately 24 miles southeast of Pensacola Pass to become the world's largest artifical reef! At 910 feet in length, the "Mighty O" is an exceptional destination for divers and will soon become a hot spot giving anglers the opportunity to reel in popular game fish such as grouper, snapper and amberjack.
The reefing was accomplished with controlled charges in 212 feet of water in Pensacola. Prior to the reefing, a memorial service was conducted at the National Museum of Naval Aviation to pay tribute to the crew and the ship that has provided exemplary service to our Navy and country.
EOD divers confirmed that the ship is sitting upright in the north-south orientation. Her island can be approached at 67 feet in emerald-clear water where visibility averages 80 to 150 feet. From the island divers can scan the seemingly endless flight deck sitting at 137 feet, a depth considered a technical dive. CNN dubbed it the "Great Carrier Reef."
