AR-302 - 459 Assault Transport Ship YANCEY

The USS Yancey (AKA-93) had a long and decorated career that spanned the globe. Commissioned in 1944, this 459-foot Andromeda-class attack cargo ship was built for war. She earned battle stars for her service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, supporting the critical invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Her service didn't end there; she later participated in the historic Operation Highjump expedition to Antarctica, and went on to serve in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, a testament to her robust design and enduring utility for the U.S. Navy.

After being decommissioned in 1970, the Yancey was destined for one final mission. On December 19, 1990, she was scuttled as the centerpiece of artificial reef AR-302, coming to rest in 160 feet of water off Morehead City. For years, she was a spectacular, intact wreck dive. However, the immense power of Atlantic hurricanes has since taken its toll, breaking the massive ship into several large sections. Today, the Yancey is a sprawling and complex dive site. Advanced divers can explore the massive bow and stern sections, swim through cavernous cargo holds, and witness the incredible density of marine life, including schools of amberjack and the iconic sand tiger sharks that patrol its ghostly remains.