Diving project for TV

[Benthic]

The Ozark off Panama City / Destin is supposed to be one of if not the best wreck dive in the Gulf. I have never been but would love to go if I could ever find a ride. It is 240' or so to the mast. The story I was told is that it was an air force ship that they had anchored and would drift a target out behind it for laser guided bombs. One day they let the navy practice on it and they dropped a bomb on the ship by accident. Because of this she is not sanitized. Hopefully one day I can find a ride out to it.

The Ozark is about 25 miles south of the Destin Pass. You can get there from PC and Pensacola, but the shortest trip is from Destin. Depth-wise, it's about 215' to the crow's nest, just shy of 300' to the main deck, and about 330' to the sand. I've attached a photo that Mike Barnette took of me on one of the forward turrets. If memory serves, I was at about 280' for that shot. The Ozark was indeed a target ship for (empty) laser guided bombs. But one of those cases pierced through all the decks and the hull, and she sank. I would agree with those who say she is the best dive in the Gulf. In my opinion she's the real "Mighty O".

<snip>
Seriously though, the Oriskany is a great dive. 340' to the sand IIRC. The deck is at about 300.

The Oriskany is actually shallower. You'll find the top of the tower around 85', the flight deck around 140' and the sand at 220' or so. The Oriskany has a slight list, so depths vary depending on your location.

Brian