YDT-14

YDT-14 was a U.S. Navy Yard Diving Tender (YDT) built during World War II. Originally designated YF-294, she was part of a series of “covered lighter, self-propelled” vessels used by the Navy in a supporting role during the war. Lighters are basically barges used to carry cargo and other materials. YTD-14 (then YF-294) played a role as an inter-island supply vessel in the Caribbean during World War II. After the war, she was transferred to Norfolk, and then assigned to the Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center in 1974. In 1980, she relocated to Panama City, FL along with the Training Center. Decommissioned in 1980, the Escambia County artificial reef program acquired her and eventually deployed her as an artificial reef in April 2000 along with her sister ship, YTD-15, which sits just 600 or so feet (200 meters) to the southeast.