Crews are preparing to sink the vandenberg

"Sink the Vanderberg!" it will be used as an artificial reef. Always a good thing for the life in the water.

Ships sometimes get sunk for the sole purpose of promoting marine life in an area that does not have existing natural reef(s). Artificial reefs can also be used to protect coastlines as well. So to help the environment crews plan to sink the decommissioned Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg on Wednesday morning about seven miles off Key West.

This ship is an impressive 17,000-ton, 523-foot-long ship originally built as a cargo ship in World War II. The massive ship is expected to sink onto a sandy bottom in 140 feet of clear water.

These artificial reefs also bring money into the local economy in the form of tourism. "Sink the Vandenberg" may bring in $8 million in tourism-related revenue.

A definite win for the water life and the economy in that area of the Keys.

The Vanderberg will be getting a lot of screen-time whilst news crews watch the sinking.

Interestingly enough however is that it's most memorable time in history was when it was invaded by aliens when it was a Russian science ship called Academician Vladislav Volkov during the sci-fi thriller Virus, which starred Jamie Lee Curtis.

Huh!



Video courtesy of DODvClips