A former warship, USS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, that was used in World War Two and the Cold War has been sunk about seven miles off the Key West coast to create an artificial reef. It was a project commissioned to protect the current reefs from further exploration and damage. It allows these reefs to flourish with out the pressures of fishing and over diving. The artificial reef will be open to all and is expected to last over 100 years with lots of long time habitats of various marine species.   The main intention of the sinking is to protect current reefs, but it will attract many tourists and boost the tourism economy in the area. It will be the second largest intentionally sunk reef in the world. The sinking of the ship was successful and the reef itself is expected to be as well.

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/27/ship.sinking.reef/

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1073207.html

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-05/31/content_11458853.htm