The third bronze plaque, bearing the names of 250 artificial reef supporters, will be placed on the Spiegel Grove Monday, June 12, kicking off Island Sun Splash '06, a weeklong event designed to showcase the fabulous diving and snorkeling in the Upper Keys.

"We've been waiting for the anniversary of the first dive on the Grove to place the third plaque," said Jackie Harder, president of the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce. "And we're delighted to coordinate our event with the Upper Keys Association of Dive and Snorkel Operators' program." Two plaques already have been placed on the Spiegel Grove, the largest ship ever intentionally sunk as an artificial reef.

This 510-foot landing ship dock went down May 17, 2002, turning turtle and landing on her superstructure. In June 2002, Resolve Salvage Co. out of Fort Lauderdale was hired – to the tune of $250,000 – to pull her upright. She made it as far as her starboard side before the cables snapped and it was decided to leave her in that position until additional funds could be raised to continue the project.

Thanks to a combination of current and Hurricane Dennis, the Grove righted herself in 2005.

Her keel sits now sits on the bottom – almost perfectly horizontal from bow to stern. Visibility is great here, but the currents can be challenging. This is not a novice dive but well within the abilities of the accomplished recreational scuba diver.

The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, under the auspices of the Upper Keys Artificial Reef Foundation, sells $10 annual dive medallions and a gorgeous bronze $250 lifetime medallions to retire the debt incurred by sinking the Grove.

Buyers of the lifetime medallion have their name (or the name of their choice) inscribed on a bronze plaque that is affixed to the Spiegel Grove. Only 1,000 lifetime medallions will be sold; the foundation is in the process of selling names for the final plaque.

A list of the names on the third plaque will be posted on the chamber's website, www.keylargochamber.org on the "Dive/Snorkel" link.

For more information or to purchase a lifetime medallion, write to [email protected] Island Sun Splash is set for June 12-16 and is co-sponsored by Key Largo Resorts.

Family-friendly activities include scuba diving and snorkeling on the beautiful reefs of the Upper Florida Keys as well as their Shipwreck Trail; the Land and Sea Photo Scavenger Hunt; reef fish ID classes; and a digital photography seminar conducted by world famous photographer Stephen Frink.

Also included will be two seminars on underwater videography, one on how to shoot underwater and the second on editing your video; lectures on the history of diving; and seminars on the 1733 Spanish Plate fleet shipwrecks that sank offshore of the Keys.

Maybe the most fun of all events is the planned Scuba Olympics, a series of fun games in the Key Largo Resorts swimming pool. And you don't even have to be a diver to participate.

A Junior Olympics will also be held simultaneously for young diver wannabes.

Dive and snorkel association members are offering 10 percent discounts on dive and snorkel trips as well as on the merchandise they carry. And Key Largo Resorts (Holiday Inn, Ramada Inn and Marina Del Mar), Ocean Point Suites, Island Bay Resort as well as other local motels will also be offering room discounts for event attendees who pre-book.

Reserve these through Brenda at Conch Republic Divers 305-852-1655 or Jeannine at Quiescence at 305- 451-2440 to guarantee the best rates.

Island Sun Splash costs $20 for adults; children, $10; and kids under 10 are free. For more information or to see the schedule of Island Sun Splash activities, check out the website www.divecapital.org. Page [pagebreak] Names on the third Spiegel Grove plaque

Dane Farnum Donna Casey and John Mullon P. A. D. I. Eric, Rob & Christina Ecuyer The Menten Family Adelaide Skoglund In Memory of Capt. Phil Laufle Stewart and Evelyn Pinsof John T. Kramer 2Jun79-3Aug03 Peryno M Brothers Annette, Sky & Hunter Slate Janice C. Sumner Paul B. Sumner Clark G. Hogsett Jr. Danielle K. Pownell Jim and Jan Raymont Dean & Janice Conley 05/17/80 Congrats Dave/Bon Stanford Sandy and Janis Horn Johnny Winton Wynco Realty Randy B. Jones Russell Thomas Jones David E. Zalanka Tres Ballard Holly Noyes John and Judy Halas Lee Martin and Anne Martin Jim, Mary & Ashley Wilson Cole Gabriel Forrer Mark Amstel Olanea Amstel Cary and Mary Wien Captain Glenn Marvel Paul A. Jackomin Michael Paul Manka 1979-2001 David M. Hopkins Diane Wulff Vivian and Wade Schile Nicolas Camus Thanks "Gloria" Stein Family Mark Melrose and Family Bryant Gilbert David DiRienzo John Goetz Jennifer Kuegler Donald Buckley South Florida Divers, Inc. Terry A. Presley George Allen Cribbs Kenneth Allen Cribbs Celia E. Smith Larry Mc Erlain Patrick E. Smith Bryan Follis Gardyn Family Bob Cameron Charles Wiersum Marty W. Presley David Oliver Robert Franco John Copenhaver Penn State Nittany Divers Ken Wesler Gene Limia Carl and Mindy Webb John J. Miller Nancy C. DeCook Victor Borrows Tarsa K. D. Dochterman George Pellissier In Memory of Lori Davis Mark/Lisa/Randie/Kreymborg Dale Kaisner Christopher Mazurkiewicz Michael Mazurkiewicz Giovanni Theodoli Phillip Waters Angela Reemelin Gregory Taczak Melissa and Heather Hatch Chuck Lewis Rudiger Bieler Karl Miracle Brian Zabkar Dave Davidson Cody Davidson Mark Sarrasin LTJG John A. Stanley SC Remunas Stulgaite Ronnie Daniels Matthew O'Toole Lee Williams Elaine G. Ortigiesen Thomas Riordan Thompson S. Lingel Paul, Azia and John Keever George C. Kirchhoffer George M. Marakas Island Ventures World Watersports Key West Chuck Mac Karvich Sloan Mac Karvich Jonathan and Daniel Kapron Mike Del Duca George-Daryl Bennett-FLCtrs Russ Lingl Wild Women on the Water 2002 Jack Pierce K. C. Mowrey Frank Mowrey Diane and Don Murray Kathleen Scott Denny Coates Frank A. Muto Lisa M. Hertel FAMI Danny & Linda Grizzard David Jarrell 1946-2002 David Weston Wayne C. Warmingham Glenn A. Patton Mark A. Goodlett-Indiana John J. Wassel MD Michael Betz 367-4372 Terence Witt-Virginia Dickens Terence Witt-Virginia Dickens PJ, Ryan & Brigid Sheehy Skin Diver-D.A.Wilkinson Jr. Sharkriders Scuba-Ed Hoffman Willi Schalk George S. Garrett Project Deep Michael Goodridge Jay Mortenson Brandon Schmidt Sally Rosen Cape Ann Divers Doug Cutler & Diane Heavey Joel, Jake Cutler, Heather D Anthony D. Hite Lisa A. Swann Darlene M. Myles Gary E. Purvis Alejandro de Quesada, Jr. Susan Calcagno Randy and Pam Silagyi Donna J. Blink Timothy Farrar James "Turtle" Kummeth Lawrence M. Hufty Fraser and Blaire Bathgate John Wray Hammond III Larry Gates Jim, Jane, James, Julie Mahley John Connor Kendall Reeves Thomas and Karen Hodson Michael McKeown Lance Ohl RIP TJ Dabbs Sr Luv Keith & Ted Col. David G. Purdy USMC Ret. In Memory of Bob Kaufmann In Memory of C.J. McCormick Zuccala's Wrecker Service Dennis and Ruth Velte Raymond C. Boucher Constanze Beate Klaus Hiller John and Sue Stuart Jennifer Stuart Katelyn Stuart Richard P. Kemner S J Scuba- St. Joseph, Mo. William L. Kirchner Mina and Gordon Kuhn Captain James Bruce Chambers Ron and Chris Small Shawn Middleton-DIVERMON John and Emily Siler Hank Wheaton 1937-1998 Paul D. Sale and Sale Family Community Bank of Florida Community Bank of Florida Blue Water Divers John Calcagno George Eastwood Yates Memory Uncle Tom Nightingale Michelle Theus Chuck Long Malena Sharkey Steve and Janet Boe Debra Jo Dannels 3/14/56 Roy L. Whaley 1928-2004 Cindy Hewitt John Stuart and Jill Hayes Meghan Havill Kitti Havill John and Mary Hammond Daniel P. Flannery- MDFR-2004 James D. Smale John C. May 09/13/2003 Kevin Kitpatrick Carson Bob and Kim McKinney The Reporter Albert and Alex del Toral Rev. Todd and Sabine McDowell Kevin Sparks Catherine Mestad Uncle Jay Aric and Kelly Eikum Melanie Jean Hammond Vito A. Cavallaro Marc E. Weiss Steve and Pat Carney Jan Garvey Taylor and Lissa Jan/Eliz/Matt/Jenn Forrester Club Caribbean-Billy Wise Lt.Col. R.E. Jamison Jr.USMC David Christopher Osterman Lisa, Ralph & Matt Mongelia Jeff,Tressa,Chealsey Arionus Renee Duval-Ohl Jim Robbins Joseph Perkins Joseph Pagano M Dale Reed M Dale Reed Joseph Winters Perkins, Jr. Robin Z. Clark Richard K. Clark Stacy Rodbell Andrew Rodbell Edward Sailor Paul E. Watson Jonathan Steiner Scott and Misty Powell Rich McMichael and Family Mark Schilleci Jason Ray Lynora M. Indiviglo Jeffrey A. Herot Jose Carrion Paul E. Watson Dan and Cathy Nagy Todd Davis Todd Masco Evan Rodbell Earl Wiley Albert del Toral & Leslie Blunk Nate & Hanae Hooyahscuba.com Leo and Ellen Crawford Kelly Crawford