The 13-year wait is over — and, according to the first divers to explore the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the result is worth it.

Divers explore the superstructure of the Vandy in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Key West. (Photo by Haig Jacobs/Florida Keys News Bureau)

The 523-foot-long ship, nicknamed the Vandy by Keys locals, was recently sunk as an artificial reef seven miles south of Key West after 13 years of effort. The bottom of its hull rests on sand in depths that average 145 feet, but the ship is so massive that its superstructure begins about 45 feet below the surface.

Just two days after the Vandy sank in one minute and 54 seconds (thought to be a new world record), a group of divers including writers, videographers, photographers, project organizers and Keys officials descended on the vessel’s bow.

The water was gin-clear, free of silt or sediment from the wreck settling upright on the bottom. The Vandy’s superstructure was visible from the surface, punctuated by the platform-like kingpost and one of the iconic parabolic dish antennae, glowing white and beckoning from below.

Joe Weatherby, left, guiding spirit of the Vandenberg project, is congratulated by Keys' County Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro, right, after tying a Conch Republic flag to a stanchion on the Vandy. (Photo by Stephen Frink/Florida Keys News Bureau)

Among those experiencing the historic first recreational dive on the Vandy was the Keys’ County Commissioner Mario Di Gennaro, who helped find public money to fund the project. He jumped into the blue water with Joe Weatherby, the project’s guiding spirit.

For safety and ease of descent, divers guided themselves along a lead line attached to one of the wreck’s mooring lines, put in place by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to keep boats from trying to anchor on or around the new reef.

Reaching the bridge approximately 70 feet below, Mario and Joe unfurled a Conch Republic flag, the official flag of the Florida Keys, and attached it to the ship. Then Mario broke a bottle of champagne against a stanchion, christening the new reef in style, and he and Joe shook hands to signify a job well done.

Diver Jaclyn Skafas explores the Vandy's massive superstructure. (Photo by Stephen Frink/Florida Keys News Bureau)

The dive instructors who accompanied the group included Megan Collins, who thinks the Vandy’s mammoth size will make it appealing to scuba divers of many different skill levels.

“It’s the possibilities for people of all levels without having to jeopardize their safety,” she said. “There’s so much to look at on the superstructure of the Vandenberg that, no matter your temptation, you don’t have to go inside.”

Joe Weatherby, who chose the Vandenberg from 400 ships rusting away in “mothball fleets” across the country, was ecstatic after his dive.

“I think it’s exactly what we planned it to be,” he said exultantly. “It’s the world’s best wreck dive.”

Bob Holston, president of the Keys Association of Dive Operators and owner of Dive Key West, reports getting calls from people as far away as Germany and Norway who are planning trips to dive the Vandy.

Jaclyn Skafas hovers above a parabolic tracking antenna on the Vandy. (Photo by Stephen Frink/Florida Keys News Bureau)

“We have more pre-bookings for the summer now than we’ve had in 38 years of being in business,” he said. “This is probably going to be one of the world’s classiest wrecks to dive.”

Many top Keys dive operators have debuted excursions to the planet’s newest artificial reef — so pack your scuba gear, make your plans and come dive the Vandenberg!