Custom Mirrored License plates depicting the Vandenberg. Only a limited number of these are available. $19.99 plus $4.95 shipping. Use paypal button or Contact kwcapt@c

omcast.net for info

Divers can now participate in an underwater scavenger hunt that was initiated by a local Key West diver and artist. Clues were welded to areas of the wreck for diver to find. Pieces of the ships history can be found throughout the wreck. Dive shops sell plastic slates with scavenger hunt questions on one side and a drawing of the ship on the other.

For all you baby boomers and advanced in age divers (like me) here is something for you and me.
Come visit my store on CafePress!

For those of you who missed the live on line feed of the sinking due to demand, here is a link to the Key West Citizen in Key West showing the sinking. Video is courtesy
of the Monroe Country Tourist Development Board

Just paste it to your browser http://keysnews.com/video/vandenberg-sinking

Congrats to all who were involved in the successful sinking of Key West's newest world class dive. The Vandenberg was officially sunk at 10:21 this morning and divers confirm she is sitting upright with her keel in the sand.

To Quote Mel Fisher "Todays the Day" well actually tomorrow. I assume that the Vandenberg is anchored over her final destination and sometime in the morning the dive community will have a new site that will open up a new era in Lower Keys and Key West diving opportunity. If you can't make the sinking.....log on to
www.bigshipwrecks.com and click on the live video feed link. Live video starts
at 9:30

See you on the bottom soon! Dive Safe, play hard and follow the rules.

So you have all your equipment serviced, taken the refresher and your ready to splash in on your long awaited vacation. So who is your dive buddy? Divers forget one important item in the get yourself ready to dive equation. THE BUDDY SYSTEM Oh sure we all learned about dive buddies in our open water course but how many times have you been diving and all of a sudden he or she wasn't there? A good dive buddy is one of the most important mix to the dive equation. Regardless of those divers who say the buddy system is same ocean, same day......they still have that feeling of security and comfort knowing that a good buddy is a breath away. Pick your buddies wisely....dive together regular and support one another by being that breath away on every dive. You never know when you are going to need assistance. Plan your dive and dive your plan. Pick a good dive buddy.

If I drop my weightbelt will it go all the way to the bottom?

Does the water go all the way around this island?

How many sunsets a day are there?

Just a quick note to remind you that when you get your equipment serviced and ready for the new diving season be sure to have the battery changed out in your dive computer as well. Batteries being what they are, its an inexpensive move to secure
piece of mind during your dives.

Divers have been waiting a long time, holding their breath in anticipation of the sinking of the Vandenberg. Of course, scuba diver shouldn't be holding their breath if they were trained correctly right?

The sink date is May 27th provided all goes as planned and Mother Nature (who is also a diver ) cooperates.

Plan your dive and dive your plan.

For those of you interested in attending the festivities starting this weekend, here is some information taken from the Vandenberg site.

After years of planning, the sinking of USNS Gen. S Hoyt Vandenberg will finally become a reality! This is your chance to become a part of this exciting moment in history by participating in the many celebrations planned in the weeks to come.
There will be a series of events starting this Sunday May 17th with a kick-off cocktail party at the Harry S. Truman Little Whitehouse on Whitehead Street from 5 pm until 8 pm. All are welcome to join and the $10 admission fee includes hor’dourves and rum punch as well as a silent auction.
Next, on Monday, May 18th at 8 pm, come and enjoy live entertainment by the Ohio based ARK band at the Island Dogs Bar at 505 Front Street. This band featuring native St. Lucian brothers has their own style of Reggae blending Soca and Calypso beats with their repertoire of original and cover material. They believe that Reggae is a powerful force that brings together people of all ages, races and lifestyles.
On Tuesday May 19th from 5 pm until sunset, come enjoy a Happy Hour Party at the Westin Resort, located at 245 Front Street, followed by a “Whatever sinks your boat” Party from 7 pm until 11 pm at the Schooner Wharf Bar at the foot of William Street with entertainment once again by the outstanding ARK Band. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a presentation of the movie Virus starring Jamie Lee Curtis, William Baldwin and Donald Sutherland, filmed on the USNS Vandenberg.
Come enjoy more great reggae music on Wednesday, May 20th at 9 pm with a party at the Green Parrot Bar at the corner of Southard and Whitehead Street, again featuring the ARK Band. On Thursday, May 21st at 9 pm Rick’s Bar at 208 Duval Street will host a Martini Party that is sure be a blast.
After a weekend full of Key West’s own Memorial Day festivities, the celebration continues on Tuesday, May 26th at 6 pm with a cocktail party at the Guy Harvey’s Island Grill at 511 Greene Street followed by a party at Rick’s/Durty Harry’s at 9 pm located at 208 Duval Street. On Wednesday May 27th at 7 pm come enjoy rum specials and live entertainment at the Rum Barrel at 585 Front Street. The final celebration to wrap up the festivities will be a concert featuring Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band and much more to commemorate this unique Key West milestone!

If you plan on diving the Vandenberg then you need one of these collector T shirts.
$23.95 includes two bumper decals. Contact kwcapt@comcast.net

Okay, if you have ever visited the Florida Keys and Key West then you are aware of the cost of accomodations for a night or two. Particularly around the major events like Fantasy Fest or any other major celebration in the Conch Republic. When the Vandenberg is resting peacefully on the bottom in 147' of salty brine, where is the huge influx of divers going to stay affordably? With the economy the way it is can't some of these local hotels and guest houses offer some reasonable rates for the divers that can't afford the outrageous rates that are typical of the Florida Keys and Key West? Lots of divers are coming Key West, where you going to put them?