California however with a new wreck?

The US west coast diving community can speak of considerable disappointment. The plan to turn the USS Kawishiwi into a ship will not be implemented. All because the ship was withdrawn from the list of wrecks suitable for turning into an artificial reef. The decision by the federal office thwarts vigorous efforts by the California

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: June 25, 2012 - 18:49

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 05:23

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The decision by the federal office thwarts vigorous efforts by the California Sheeps To Reefs organisation to pull the vessel underwater near Dana Point harbour. The 200m Neosho class tanker would certainly have become a magnet for divers from around the world.

All vessels containing polychlorinated biphenyls – PCBs – were removed from the ship recycling programme, the statement said. In response to this turn of events, Californian wreck enthusiasts quickly discovered that the USS Willamette, located in the same port, met the new requirements. Undeterred by the setback, the CSRT has already begun the procedure to acquire the wreck for divers.

The USS Willamette is a much later design of the Cimarron class, measuring 210m! This tanker was retired from the US fleet in 1999. 19 years after its first launch. If the plan to sink a ‘replacement’ is successful, this will certainly be one of the more attractive sites for those wishing to perfect wreck diving.

Source: californiashipstoreefs.com

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.