|
Norfolk
A written off vessel of the USA armed forces was processed for further services by Virginia shipbuilding facilities, but in this case as an environment for marine inhabitants and amusement for divers of the Key West National Marine Nature Reserve, Florida state.
A six million project of reorganization of the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg 160 meters length into reef will be finished by spring 2008, when the ship would be descended to the depth of 43 meters 10 km to the south of Key West. Vandenberg ship written off in 1983, remained still for 24 years among the vessels of US Navy in Fort -Justice.
According to estimates of the vendors of the project the Vandenberg reef should make profit of $ 8 billion annually. Herewith its inundation would facilitate the existence of natural coral reefs.
Before sinking, the vessel should be cleaned of all that could negatively affect environment. It is necessary to peel off the paint, to eliminate toxic substances and get rid of oil remnants. More than 500 000 person/hours would be hired to finish such work, and divers of all qualifications would be needed in order to inundate it. The project is financed mainly by the government of the island.
Vandenberg started to sail in 1943, that time it had another name - General Harry S. Taylor - and transported military detachments. In 1999 the film "Virus" was shot on the board of this ship starring with Jamey Lee Curtis and William Baldwin.
After participation in the Second World War, Hungarian Revolution and Cold War, it was transferred in rocket carrier. The ship was awarded another name General Hoyt S. Vandenberg destined for this mission.
|
