Phase III – July 22

Bob Beckner after his dive

The Navy barge, Weeks 526

Tony Bielawski on the Cape Fear after his dive






Dives on the Monitor

Saturday, July 22, 2000 – Today’s participants:
  • Team 1 – Kyle Creamer
  • Team 1 – Terrence Tysall
  • Team 1 – Gary Byrd (ECU)
  • Team 1 – Bob Beckner
  • Team 2 – Shawn Douthat
  • Team 2 – Grant Graves
  • Team 2 – Steve Sellers (ECU)
  • Team 2 – Frank Cantelas (ECU)
  • Support – John Barone
  • Support – Tony Bielawski
  • Standby Diver – Michael Barnette
  • Chase Boat Support – Tane Casserley (ECU)
  • Diving Supervisor – Doug Kesling (NURC)
  • DMT – Glenn Taylor (NURC)
  • Dr. John Broadwater – Project Director and Chief Archeologist
  • Captain, R/V Cape Fear – Dan Aspenleiter
  • The Mate – Mike

If the sea state had been exceptionally calm this morning, the Navy was going to deploy the trolley that rides along the top of the bridge structure. If this had happened, we would not have dove today. Mother Nature had other ideas, however. We had about two foot swells and a light chop when we arrived on site after our usual departure at 0800. The Navy was in the water working on other tasks when we deployed our first team. Instead of two seperate evolutions, we used our staggered approach by deploying the first team on a 25 minute bottom time and 5 minutes later deploying the second team on a 20 minute bottom time.

Again, there was no current and about 50 feet of visibility on the bottom. We utilized our standard NOAA Trimix I, 18/50, with EAN36 and oxygen for decompression. We collected additional measurements on the bridge structure and measurements on the grout bags that have been placed under the deck in the sand. These data were submitted to the Navy to help them in their efforts.

We have a few more team members arriving tonight and anticipate good weather for tomorrow. Remember, If you have questions or comments about the project, just drop us an e-mail. Until tomorrow . . .

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