Well folks, it finally happened!  The vessel Captain Greg MicKey was reefed Saturday August 4, 2007 at 6:32 PM at position 33.29.392   077.35.289

The event was well attended with many family and friends in attendance, including Brad & Chris MicKey, Greg's sons, and Julia MicKey, Greg's wife.  "The MicKey" was stubborn and required the tug boat to add water from above to get her to begin the descent to the ocean floor.  It was a very emotional moment for all involved.  

Several people, including Julia, were able to snorkel it shortly afterward.  The bridge and stack are amazingly close to the surface, reachable to most any freediver.  It sits in around 70 ft of water perfectly upright.  The Captain Greg MicKey will definitely be an awesome place for fishing and diving!

For those of you who may be diving, The Captain Greg MicKey look for two plaques placed on the vessel in memory of Greg.  One in the ships wheel house and another on the stern.   

The photos are posted in the gallery at FryingPanTower.Com

and HERE at GregMicKey.Org

We are happy to announce the Captain Greg MicKey has left Norfolk.  The vessel is currently headed to Morehead, N.C. for the rechristening ceremony to take place tomorrow (Friday) August 3rd at the NC Marine Fisheries/State Port in Morehead City at 5:00 PM.  On Saturday, August 4th, the vessel will be reefed at approximately 10:00 AM at:

Lat 33degrees 29.750 N
Long 77 degrees 35.667W

The North Carolina Marine Fisheries Service will sink the vessel.  Then Julia MicKey and Andy Illobre will dive the vessel with the NCMFS divers recording the event.  Other divers will have access to the Captain Greg MicKey when authorized by the NCMFS personnel who will be on site. 

Many thanks to all of you who have followed this story and have donated your time and efforts to this wonderful memorial to Greg.  Your thoughts, prayers and donations have made this a lasting tribute to our husband, father and friend.  We hope the CAPTAIN GREG MICKEY will be a place that you enjoy fishing or diving in years to come.     

There has been another delay in the reefing of the MicKey!  We are now looking at the 1st of December as a potential date.  The re-christening is to take place in Morehead City then the vessel will be towed to the site near Frying Pan Tower for reefing.  

We on The Capt Greg MicKey Committee extend our appologies for the delays.  According to Jim Francesconi, NC Department of Marine Fisheries, there have been multiple problems with the engine removal and cleaning that have pushed the project into this timeframe. 

Members of the committee have donated substantial amounts of their time, effort, and money to this endeavor.  We share your concerns with the progress of the project.  Please continue to be patient as we remember that the goal of this project is to memorialize our friend, Greg.

Official word will be posted when a final time is announced.  

The vessel Captain Greg MicKey will be Christened in a ceremony in Morehead City, NC on Friday June 17th at 7pm.

The sinking will take place (weather permitting) at approximately 9am Sunday, June 18th at Frying Pan Tower.  

We've begun the purchase process!  A vessel photo is listed in the gallery.  A date for the sinking and christening will be announced in the near future.  Thank you to all who donated!

As of last week, donations are near goal for the Captain Greg MicKey vessel purchase.  Hurricane Katrina has delayed the selection of a specific vessel, and unfortunately has provided other vessels for potential use.  We are hopeful that a vessel will be selected soon and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries along with the Onslow Bay/Long Bay Artificial Reef Associations will be providing updates as we progress. 

The Captain Greg MicKey Commitee is grateful for your support.  Thanks to those of you that have made donations.