Good news for wreck diving fans - a new wreck will soon be sunk off the coasts of Key West, Florida. The wreck of a US Air Force missile tracking ship, the General Hoyt S. Vandenberg will be scuttled on May 15 in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

The Vandenberg was used to tracked space missions before being decommissioned in 1983. It’s an impressive ship with three 30-40 foot radar dishes, two dome-like tracking structures, a huge bridge house, rocket launchers, and a weather station.

The Vandenberg is currently being prepared by removing environmental hazards and being made safe for divers. I think it’s great that many of the world’s militaries are providing these amazing wrecks for divers and I can’t wait to dive this one next time I’m in Florida.

For more information about the history of the Vandenberg check out bigshipwrecks.com.

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