Auction, BBQ Set for 'Lady Luck'

"Lady Luck" steams toward Fort Lauderdale (Marriott)

Friday the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa is hosting a live auction in conjunction with  “Lady Luck,” a 324-foot tanker ship from New York City formerly known as “The Newtown Creek.” It will soon become part of South Florida's artificial reef system, one of the most easily accessible major dive sites in the nation.

In partnership with The Shipwreck Park Inc., a private not-for-profit corporation, the resort will also host a Ship Sinking BBQ Fundraiser on July 23 to raise money to ensure the success of Lady Luck, the world’s only underwater faux diving casino, complete with interactive art exhibits.
 
Here are more details from the press release:

"In anticipation of the sinking just 1.5- miles off Pompano Beach’s shore, Marriott Pompano Beach will host a Live Auction on July 8. The mayor of Pompano Beach, Lamar Fisher, will serve as the auctioneer for the event where unique memorabilia from the ship will be up for auction, including Lady Luck’s engine order telegraph, passageway lights, portholes and even the ship’s horn. Also up for grabs will be original works of art by speed painter Dale Henry, also known as Paintman, who will put on a show and create Lady Luck-inspired paintings in minutes. Attendees will also have the chance to bid on the trip of a lifetime, worth $25,000. It includes a complimentary three-night stay for two at Marriott Pompano Beach, July 22-25, 2016, overnight valet parking, daily buffet breakfast at McCoy’s Oceanfront and dinner at Farradday’s Steakhouse. The lucky bidder will also be filmed for Scuba Nation, which airs on Fox Sun Sports Channel, as they become the first group to dive Lady Luck with the inspection team. The package does not include airfare and bidders must hold an advanced diver certification or equivalent experience.
 
"On July 23, local residents, resort guests and area officials will gather at Marriott Pompano Beach’s Ocean Terrace from 1 to 4 p.m. to witness the sinking of Lady Luck in 120 feet of water. The tanker, which is longer than a football field, will sink one mile from the resort. It will be the centerpiece of Shipwreck Park, a unique underwater cultural arts park surrounded by 16 other existing wrecks with underwater art exhibits created by Pompano Beach artist Dennis MacDonald. Art displays will include a swim-through cascade of gigantic dice, a card-slinging Octopus and hustling table sharks as part of the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park sponsorship. Priced at $75 per person, the Ship Sinking BBQ Fundraiser will include valet parking, passed hors d’oeuvres, a BBQ-themed lunch menu prepared by Executive Chef Eric Kaszubinski, and an open bar serving a variety of spirits, including Pompano Beach’s own Bangin’ Banjo Brewing Company’s Lady Luck Beer. Attendees will also be privy to live streaming video of the ship sinking via large- screen TVs. Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars for a closer view of the ship as it sinks. Tickets can be purchased at shipwreckparkpompano.org.

 As one of the largest wrecks in all of the Southeastern United States, Lady Luck will quickly become a top diving attraction with something to offer all diving skill levels. Its sheer size plus all of the added interactive features will give divers reason to return. It will take more than one dive to explore the underwater structure and museum, enjoying all of its beauty and unique artwork.
 
“The addition of Lady Luck decked out with creative artwork will promote growth for more natural marine life to our artificial reef system,” said Greg Harrison, Chair of The Shipwreck Park Inc.
 
Shipwreck Park, Inc. has received sponsorship from the City of Pompano Beach and the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park for the purchase, towing, cleanup, installation of artworks, and sinking of the ship. The ship was towed from New York to a facility on the Miami River for cleanup and installation of artwork before the sinking.
 
For more information on Lady Luck and Shipwreck Park, Inc., visit www.sinktheladyluck.com. For information or to make reservations at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa, please visit www.pompanomarriott.com  or call 855-954-4683.