The decommissioned aircraft carrier Oriskany became the world’s largest artificial reef when it was sunk on May 17, some 24 miles southeast of Pensacola in the Gulf of Mexico.
The goal was to turn the 888-foot ship, resting in 212 feet of water, into a magnet for divers around the globe.
So far, mission accomplished.
Across Pensacola, area dive shops are reporting out-of-control business and booked-solid charter trips, and divers fresh up from Oriskany visits are swearing that the Oriskany is a dive trip that trumps all others.