Dive the
USS ORISKANY
The USS Oriskany (CV/CVA 34) was a US Navy Essex-class aircraft carrier purposefully sank about 25 miles Southeast of Pensacola Pass.
At 888 ft long, 148ft wide and 129ft tall, it´s difficult to appreciate the size of the USS Oriskany until you actually dive it. The Island, in it´s current state, consists of eight decks stretching from the Flight Deck at 146ft to the 011 Tower Deck at 84ft. Recreational scuba divers can do dozens of dives shallower than 130ft, and still make new discoveries on each successive dive.
Scuba divers aboard the Niuhi are provided with a detailed briefing of the dive site prior to arrival. Our divemasters use detailed maps and diagrams to point out places of interest and will share important tips that will help you get the most out of your Oriskany diving experience.
Recreational divers are expected to return to the boat with no less than 500psi remaining in their tanks, and are not allowed to conduct decompression dives.
Technical Diving on the
Oriskany Wreck
Technical divers can explore the lower tower decks, the flight deck, and the hull, which, on the exterior at least, extends to the sand at 212ft of water. Technical divers are expected to provide a written dive plan to the Captain, which includes planned travel routes, decompression schedule, and total dive run times. Rebreather divers will need to spend a few minutes with the captain or divemaster explaining their individual rigs. Divers are required to produce proof of certification for the level they plan to dive (i.e. Advanced Trimix Certification for a dive to the Oriskany screws).
Please contact Captain Andy in advance if you have any questions about conducting technical dives aboard the Niuhi. Captain Andy has completed technical dives on the Oriskany, and may be able to provide you with detailed information that could help you with planning.
USS Oriskany Dive Depths
Listed below are the current, approximate depths of the USS Oriskany. There is a slight list, which causes one side to be a bit shallower than the other. Please note that these depths are subject to change due to storm activity, and should not be relied upon for dive planning purposes without personal verification.
- Top of Oriskany: 84ft (26m)
- Primary Flight Bridge: 105ft (32m)
- Navigation Bridge: 124ft (38m)
- Flag Bridge: 134ft (41m)
- Flight Deck: 146ft (45m)
- Hangar Bay: 175ft (53m)
Additional Pensacola Wreck Dives
Joe Patti Barge
The Joe Patti Memorial Reef is probably the second most popular dive site in Pensacola, right after the USS Oriskany, and more accessable to divers of all levels. This 175 foot long barge was sunk in 2013 and donated by the Patti Family. It is named after a fishing...
YDT-15
Originally designated YF-336 in 1942, this vessel was assigned to the New York and Potomac River Naval Commands before reassignment to the Naval District of Washington, at which point her name was changed to Suitland. In 1965 Suitland was assigned to the 5th Naval...
YDT-14
Originally built in 1942, the YDT-14 is one of two U.S. Navy dive tenders sank as artificial reefs in the year 2000. YDT-14 is mostly intact. In order to make the wreck safer for recreational divers, decking has been removed fore and aft of the bridge. The YDT-14 sits...
USS Oriskany
The USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34) also known as “The Great Carrier Reef” is a 904ft long US Navy aircraft carrier. The Oriskany saw significant combat service in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars. She was intentionally sank as an artificial reef on May 17, 2006. This wreck...
Tug Born Again
Purposefully sunk as an artificial reef on January 24, 1991, the 65-foot Tugboat Born Again is partially intact with twenty-one 19ft sections of metal pipe extending from her decking. She currently rests in 95ft of water with her upper sections settled at about 65ft....
Three Coal Barges
In 1974, three steel coal barges broke free from their transport vessel on their way to reefing at another location. In order to prevent the barges from becoming a navigation hazard, explosives experts from the U.S. Navy sank them at their present location which is...
Russian Freighter (aka S.S. San Pablo)
There was a lot of mystery behind the sinking of the San Pablo in August 1944 which led to the local name of The Russian Freighter. The San Pablo actually spent her life as a fruit transport ship running from Central America to the United States. The "Russian...
Pete Tide II
The Pete Tide II is a 180′ former oil field supply boat that was sunk as an artificial reef in 1993. This fully intact wreck is one of the most popular sites in the area and always has a plethora of marine life surrounding it. The pilot house at the top of the...
PC Barge
Sank in 1995, The PC Barge is now a deck suspended 6ft from the bottom upon a hollowed-out frame in 81ft of water. Galvanized radio tower sections rest in the sand on each side of the barge. It make for a good dive with easy underwater navigation. Lots of marine life...
Oops Barge
The wreck got its name when it sunk about two miles from its original location all on her own on October 2, 1995. It was originally slated as an artificial reef. The 65ft steel barge now rests in 75ft of water with about 5ft of relief. What's left of this barge still...
Navy Barge
A steel barge intentionally sunk in 1993 as an artificial reef, the Navy Barge now rests in 82ft of water.Navy BargeMax Depth: 82 ft Top of Wreck: Legnth: Width: Distance from Pass:Additional Pensacola Dive Sites
Liberty Ship Joseph L. Meek
The 480ft long S.S. Joseph L. Meek was a WWII Liberty Ship built for the Maritime Commission by the Oregon War Industries Ship Building Company in 1942 and reefed in 1976. She was one of. the "ugly duckling" ships rapidly constructed in civilian shipyards during...