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ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — The Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee held a special meeting Monday to open up to the public the concept of sinking the SS United States as a new diving attraction.
According to public comments at the meeting, the maximum number of people who are in favor of it.
There remain unanswered questions about the project.
“We know what we don’t know and one of the things is cost,” said Robert Turpin, director of the Division of Marine Resources. “We are not yet certain how the shipment will be presented to Escambia County. Either directly from the booking, or in all likelihood through a contractor who received the shipment of the booking. “
Many other people from diving organizations are on board.
“I’m going to donate $2,000,” said Andy Ross of Niuhni Dive Charters.
“It sounds like you all have a pretty clever idea,” said Kurtis Freeland of Florida Dive Pros. “I need to start with $5,000 to get started and I’m in a position to write that check tonight. “
“I think it’s a smart idea,” said Fritz Sharr of MBT Diver. “I am willing to make a donation of $5,000 on behalf of MBT Divers. “
“On behalf of the Ocean Strike Team, we strongly support it and also won $1,000,” said Brady Hale of the Ocean Strike Team.
There are broad opinions on this idea, but there are also considerations about it.
“If we sink this ship, we still won’t have a hyperbaric chamber here,” said Rachel Wells, a resident involved. “That’s all the more reason to put one here because more people are going to be harmed and we want to do everything we can to make sure there’s something nearby and available for our divers. “
The committee responded by saying that when he wrote a letter to the commission about the project, the first thing that caught the commissioner’s attention was a hyperbaric chamber.
They raised over $20,000 at the meeting, but there’s still a lot to talk about about this project.