WAIMERRA

[Pete Mesley]

OK OK OK OK OK !! I think that 2009 is the year we find this puppy!!

Just dropped in to see Mike F today and we got all excited again!!!

Heres the things we need....

1. Boat, skipper ( I am working on this)
2. Sidescan sonar (Keith Can you help with this???????)
3. Coordinates to start the search ( Mike has all this under controll)
4. Bottom Divers (my recommendation is a max of 2 - keeps the group small and dynamic and not demanding on time and resources. This is covered by Pete)
5. Support Diver (who gets into the water) and dive supervisor who overseas all diving operations while divers are in the water( this will all be coodinated and sorted out by Pete)
5. 3-4 days of good weather and calm seas (who is closest to God on this forum?? We need to pull in some favours here!!!!!)


This is what I propose.

The biggest thing on an expedition like this is costs incurred. We all play roles in finding the wreck, diving it, supporting it and documenting it. What we need to do is find out what the costs are going to be


1. Boat, skipper

I will find out what this is going to cost us, fuel, transport, vehicles taking the boat up north etc etc.

2. Sidescan sonar (Keith Can you help with this???????)

Keith, can you let me know what costs are going to be incurred here please.

3. Coordinates to start the search ( Mike has all this under controll)

?


4. Bottom Divers (my recommendation is a max of 2 - keeps the group small and dynamic and not demanding on time and resources. This is covered by Pete)

Costs of putting divers on the bottom will be quite high but both divers are happy not to have anyone contribute to their costs. These costs will be at teh divers expense. Support gas, tanks, regs, lines, ropes, etc Also divers will be happy to assist in being put in the total pool for defraying costs.


5. Support Diver (who gets into the water) and dive supervisor who overseas all diving operations while divers are in the water( this will all be coodinated and sorted out by Pete)

Support divers will be the same as everyone else where they will contribute to the total costs

5. 3-4 days of good weather and calm seas (who is closest to God on this forum?? We need to pull in some favours here!!!!!)

I could kill a chicken if I think it would help with the weather!!!!!!

What is the best thing ( I think) is to head out first and find the wreck. So we can put all hands on deck to find the wreck. once we have found the wreck we can buoy it, then pass by it with the sidescan a few times to get some great views of it. Then head back and bring the divers the next day. Now the boat can carry a few people so I think that on top of ROV operator, driver, line operator we can have maybe an additional 4 people on board. (both bottom divers, support diver and dive supervisor)

So realistically once we find out what all the costs are going to be we can then look at the costs per person. I think that everyone makes an equal share in these costs. We are a team! (Team UHG)

in terms of manpower I think that it can be done with the following

Skipper
ROV operator
Line operator

Dive Supervisor
Support Diver
Diver 1
Diver 2

If there is anything that I have missed out or anyone has any comments then that would be greatly appreciated.


So I recon that this will keen the trip trim and lean for quick deployment and high yeilds!!!!


Comments please!!!

Pete

[oab]

Thanks for the post Pete. I've done all the location research I can do and it's down to a few sq km by a triangulation of the course the Wimmera was taking, with a Lat/Long taken by the 2nd Officer, and a map from Germany showing where the mines were laid. Appears to have collected the third and fourth mine in string number 4. Use of some kind persons aquatic vehicle for final location search would be very nice indeed.

[deepquest]

If you can find the boat I can supply the side scan sonar - no cost also a small ROV to dangle down to see whats there. Problem I see from previous ROV experience in the area is the strong currents. Very clear water & good reflected bottom light - boat cost is the major factor I think to be covered.
Keith G

[Pete Mesley]

Thanks heaps for that Keith, I know it in my bones that we will find it with the sidescan. Had a long talk with Ewan and we will probably have to leave from Parengaparenga Harbour. then its a fat blat out to the site. yeah, I think that we will all be smaked around with the currents there. Not the holiday we ahd on the kembla. I have emailed willy to try and blag the grey pig - an 8m inflatable with twin 115hps on it. That thing flies!!

Thanks too Mike, on all the historical info. All that hard work hopefully will pay off when we find the thing and dive it!!


Pete