THE AWESOME VANDENBERG WRECK
On WED August 2nd, SFDI will hear all about the Vandenberg Wreck of Key West from a speaker who knows it inside and out, Dave Parkhurst. He will inform us of its operational history, including its original commissioning and retirement, as well as its later re-commissioning and re-retirement. We’ll learn about important moments in its history and view historical photos from its years of operation, including the transportation of troops. And we’ll learn about it’s sinking, with many illustrative photos. How has Hurricane Irma affected the Vandenberg? What art exhibitions have been installed on its sides? And in what ways does it excite its divers? Find out about the Vandy, and then DIVE her with Dave and SFDI on August 20! Check out the trip info on SFDI’s calendar page. See you at the August 2nd meeting and on the Vandy with Dave!
ABOUT DAVE PARKHURST
Dave is a retired Naval Officer who served on active duty from 1984-1997 as a Surface Warfare Officer; and in the U. S. Navy Reserves from 1998-2006 as a Special Warfare Combatant Crewman (SWCC). He retired as a Commander in the Navy and will provide details as part of the intro of his presentation. While in the Reserves and beyond, he worked as a Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration from 1998-2020.
While in the Navy, Dave got dive certified in 1984 and then dove the world. He obtained his AOW in Dubai, UAE, and then worked his way through the certifications to become an Instructor in 2015 and a Master Scuba Diver Trainer in 2018. Dave was awarded the PADI Elite Instructor Award in 2020 for teaching over 50 students, and in 2021 for teaching over 150 students. He has been told that he received it last year as well, but that one is still "in the mail." :)
