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Ten years later, Yukon has taken on new life on the bottom of the ocean off San Diego. Resting in about 90 to 100 feet of water, she is covered in invertebrates and encrusting organisms and provides an ecologically sound habitat for a variety of aquatic life as well as an economic benefit to the area.

As with all intentionally placed artificial reefs, Yukon creates both fish and marine life habitat and economic development. Plenty of examples of such economic development can be found around the US and other parts of the world. For example, the ex-aircraft carrier Oriskany near Pensacola Florida receives more than 4,200 chartered dive trips annually.

When measuring the revenue generated from visitors residing in the two Florida counties of Escambia and Baldwin alone, annual dive-trip related expenditures to the Oriskany have been estimated at $2.2 million, and dive-related expenditures drive an economic impact of $3.6 million in local output and additional jobs while generating $1.4 million in local income. More information regarding the economics and environmental benefits of artificial reefs can be found at www.Ships2Reefs.com.

Yukon is some 365 feet long and about 43 feet wide and was sunk by the San Diego Oceans Foundation (www.SDOceans.org) to create an artificial reef in waters off North Mission Beach in San Diego. The original sinking site was part of an artificial reef complex consisting of three smaller wrecks called "Wreck Alley," a 512-acre underwater recreation area. The seafloor is owned by the City of San Diego and the artificial reefs are administered by the California Department of Fish and Game. These areas are open to fishing and diving.

Prior to sinking the Yukon was cleaned of toxic and hazardous materials and large holes were cut into the sides for easy diver entry and exit. The destroyer was sunk on July 14, 2000 offshore of Mission Beach. She lays on her side with the exposed starboard side located at the wreck's shallowest depth of about 56 feet. There she has drawn thousands of divers during the last decade, all due to the hard work of the volunteers who got her to San Diego and carefully prepared her for her new life as an artificial reef.

DEMA extends its congratulations to all involved in the Yukon and to those who monitor her progress today. To learn more about becoming a diver or to find a dive retailer near you, visit www.BeADiver.com.