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Oriskany reef a shining example
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After nearly two years under water off Florida, the former US Navy aircraft carrier Oriskany has demonstrated just how successful the idea of artificial reef-cum-diving attractions can be.
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The 271m-long Oriskany was sunk in 65m of water, 24 miles off Florida's Pensacola Beach in May 2006, to become the world's largest artificial reef and diving attraction.
Now, researchers carrying out a study for the University of West Florida have calculated that the ship has already brought in some $3.6 million a year in tourism revenues and job creations, spread across the board from diving establishments to accommodation, restaurants and other services.
In terms of the diving industry, number-crunchers at the Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development found that the ship had prompted a leap in diving charter-boat outings of some 4200 in its first full operational year.
The figures show no sign of having been spurred by initial interest from divers which might tail off.
'The ship has generated millions of dollars in media coverage, not just here but overseas, and put Pensacola on the map as an international dive site,' said Laura Lee, speaking for the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
'Divers from Japan, Australia and Russia have come here because of the stories they have seen.' Divers from Europe, including Britain, have also travelled to Florida to dive the wreck.
As it becomes further colonised by marine life, the ship is likely to become even more attractive to visitors. Dubbed the 'great carrier reef' by US news agency CNN, it is drawing increasing numbers of creatures including amberjack, barracuda and octopuses.
The Oriskany was the first vessel to be sunk as part of a dedicated scheme by the US Navy to dispose of decommissioned ships by scuttling as reefs, rather than sending to breakers' yards.
Another well-known ex-US Navy artificial reef, the supply ship Spiegel Grove, was sunk off Key Largo in 2002 but as a civil project, funded by private donations and grants from regional government.
That vessel, too, is regarded as having brought a healthy jump in revenues for local diving and other tourism-related businesses. |
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