One of the first columns I wrote was about diving the Spiegel Grove. It&#x92;s been one of my favorite sites since I came here. I can have just as good a time with a macro lens as I can with a wide angle lens. When the visibility is 80 feet or better, there&#x92;s nothing like the great view across width of the ship from one crane mount to the other. Plus it&#x92;s the only place I&#x92;ve seen a frogfish since I&#x92;ve been here.</p><p>This month marks the tenth anniversary of the sinking. I know a lot will be written about it in the next few weeks, so I guess I&#x92;ll put my two cents in as well.</p><p>Based on the popularity of the Duane and Bibb when they were deployed, the Spiegel Grove was a logical addition. At the time it was sunk, it was the largest artificial reef of its type. Definitely a sink-it-and-they-will-come scenario.</p><p>There is no question the Spiegel Grove has been a boon for hotels, restaurants and dive operators. After the Spiegel Grove went down, Bob Leeworthy of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary did a study for a time period prior to- and just after the sinking. The net effect was 68 new jobs, and over $5 million in recreation expenditures and associated sales. The effect in Key West from the Vandenberg has been even greater. See http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/socioeconomic/floridakeys/recreation/new_reefs.html for all the facts.</p><p>It&#x92;s like adding a new roller coaster to the boardwalk amusement park. When I was helping Nauticus, the National Maritime Center, get off the ground, we had the same long range outlook &#x97; you have to keep adding attractions to get return visits and generate new business. Keys leaders have done well in that regard and now we have a major roller coaster ride at both ends of the Keys.</p><p>The Wreck Trek is a recognizable term in Keys lingo. We&#x92;ve branded ourselves well, and I expect that sort of thinking will always be a discussion topic at the tourism meetings. I sure would have it on the agenda. I wonder what&#x92;s next on the drawing board (or sea floor). Maybe we find a way to keep Aquarius Reef Base open. That would be huge!</p><p>The other benefit, of course, is all the marine life that has come to call the Spiegel Grove home. Our roller coasters have animals. Can&#x92;t beat that! REEF data document nearly 200 species on the Spiegel Grove, although the observations have fluctuated a bit over time. The fish population on the Spiegel Grove has developed to be quite similar to other nearby deeper reefs, as expected.</p><p>Finally, how about a penny for this thought &#x97; if natural reefs continue to decline at the rate they are crumbling, will artificial reefs become the more dominant reef structure in some areas? Will most of the new artificial reefs be old ships? We know tires don&#x92;t work, just ask Fort Lauderdale! There is a ton of information on artificial reefs, materials for use, and deployment. Just Google the terms and start reading.</p><p>One of the great attractions of the Spiegel Grove, or Duane or Vandenberg is their history. Perhaps the Keys will make history in the future with another great ship. That might be an interesting topic for discussion in June when the FKNMS entertains public comments.</p><p>Here is another reminder &#x97; the Duane and Bibb will celebrate 25 years as artificial reefs in November. Sounds like another party to me. Thanks to all the people and organizations that worked to bring the Spiegel Grove here. And thanks to all the people that come here to take a closer look. Our roller coasters keep getting better and better.</p><p><i>Tim Grollimund is a freelance photographer and PADI divemaster based in Key Largo. He can be reached at tim@timgimages.com or through his web site at www.timgimages.com. Keep tabs on his activity for the Coral Restoration Foundation at www.timgimages.com/crlogbook.</i>