|
DP -> RE: HMS Scylla Sunk as Reef (4/11/2004 5:05:14 AM)
|
I guess this is the new ending for those warships in mothball reserve. I found this on DOD DefenceLink:
The Navy announced today that it will transfer the former aircraft carrier
>ex-Oriskany to the State of Florida for use as an artificial reef. The
>Navy was granted authority to transfer obsolete warships to states for
>artificial reefing purposes under the fiscal 2004 National Defense
>Authorization Act (Public Law 108-136).
>
>"This selection represents another step forward in the Navy's efforts to
>safely reduce its inventory of obsolete ships by cost-effective means that
>also have proven benefits to the marine environment" commented Rear Adm.
>Charles S. Hamilton, the Navy's program executive officer, ships. Capt.
>Lawrence M. Jones, Jr., program manager, Inactive Ships Program Office
>reports to Hamilton for all inactive ships matters, and is now managing
>the Navy's artificial reefing program under this new authority.
>
>Since 1972, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has had the authority
>to transfer obsolete vessels for artificial reefing purposes. Recognizing
>that both agencies have an inventory of vessels appropriate for such use,
>the Navy and MARAD recently joined in a cooperative effort for making
>suitable obsolete Navy warships and MARAD merchant-type vessels available
>for use as artificial reefs.
>
>The Navy's decision to transfer ex-Oriskany to the State of Florida is the
>culmination of many hours of hard work on the part of the Navy and MARAD.
>Four applications were submitted by five states (one each from the states
>of Florida, Mississippi and Texas, and a joint proposal from Georgia and
>South Carolina). After a thorough Navy/MARAD review and analysis of these
>applications, the Navy concluded that the State of Florida proposal for
>using ex-Oriskany as an artificial reef provides the best value to the
>U.S. government. Before transfer of ex-Oriskany can occur, the Navy's
>contractor will perform work necessary to environmentally prepare the ship
>for sinking as an artificial reef. Once this work and other details are
>complete, the Navy will execute a transfer agreement with the State of
>Florida and expects the ship to be sunk for use as an artificial reef
>before the end of the summer 2004.
>
>The Navy looks forward to continuing its cooperative effort with MARAD to
>support artificial reefing in an efficient, effective, safe and
>environmentally sound manner.
>
>Further questions can be referred to Naval Sea Systems Command Public
>Affairs at (202) 781-2975.
Seems kind of sad, but I guess it's better that being sold for scrap.[:(]
|
|
|
|
