What is involved in preparing a Navy ship for artificial reefing?
In May 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed the national guidance document entitled Best Management Practices for Preparing Vessels Intended to Create Artificial Reefs. The Navy’s contract with Resolve Marine Group for remediating ex-Oriskany, which was awarded on 29 Sep 03, was based on the draft Best Management Practices document. The scope of work to prepare ex-Oriskany for sinking as an artificial reef includes the removal and disposal of liquid hydrocarbons (fuels and oils) throughout the ship so that the ship is essentially petroleum free; removal and disposal of any loose or detached friable asbestos containing material; removal and disposal of all capacitors, transformers, or other liquid PCB containing components; sweep-up and disposal of all loose paint accumulated on deck surfaces; removal and disposal of all trash, loose debris, cleaning materials, and any floatable materials that are not permanently attached to the ship or could be transported into the
