We're heading to the Florida Keys to explore one of the biggest artificial reefs in the world! The USS Spiegel Grove is a Landing Ship Dock (LSD) that rests in 130ft of water off Key Largo. This wreck is HUGE! Someone described it like doing a "wall dive" on a building the size of a city block. At 510ft in length (almost two football fields!), the Spiegel Grove definitely has the WOW factor.

Spiegel Grove was decommissioned in October 1989 with title passing to the State of Florida in 1998. The ship spent 12 years tethered in the Navy's "Mothball Fleet" in Virginia's James River. In June 2001, she was towed to undergo an elaborate cleaning process and 11 months later was relocated off Key Largo. On May 17, 2002, the Spiegel Grove unexpectedly sank about six hours before her intended scuttling. She started rolling on her starboard side, ending upside down on the sea bottom and leaving her bow protruding slightly out of the ocean. Resolve Marine Group finished scuttling the ship on her side June 10, 2002. Much to the benefit of all who dive her, in 2005 thanks to the waves of Hurricane Dennis, the Spiegel Grove now sits upright.

Although diving the Spiegel Grove is the focus of this trip. We may also choose to dive other local wrecks as well as Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

We have charted a boat through Silent World Dive Center. Silent World is one of the premier dive shops in all of Florida. Please check them out at www.silentworldkeylargo.com . The approximate cost of the charter is $200 per diver. This includes 3 days of 2 tank dives, tanks and weights.

In an effort to keep the logistics of this trip simple, we have only charted the boat. Divers need to arrange their own transportation (drive, fly, or use air miles) and accommodation. The silent World web site has good suggestions for accommodations. Please feel free to arrive early or extend your stay. Heck, bring the family and turn it into an early summer vacation. The Florida Keys are affordable and have lots to offer the diver and non- diver alike.

For a spot on the boat or more information, please call Waterfront Diving Center at (802) 865-2771 or (800) 283-7282

DIVEMASTER: Lisetta Hansen

WHO: Divers with advanced certification or logged experience in similar conditions. Nitrox certification is strongly recommended. Computers are a MUST. Please note that there is plenty to see in the 50ft to 70ft range on the Spiegel.

WHAT: Dive the Spiegel Grove in the Florida Keys

WHEN: June 26th, 27th & 28th 2008

WHERE: Key Largo, Florida