...
Tom Gidus is currently employed with Seafarers Exploration
Inc. (http://seafarer-exploration.com),
exploring and salvaging a shipwreck off Juno Beach, FL. Tom first began
researching this wrecksite 10 years ago, when he consulted with Jud Laird
of Tulco Inc, who had the admiralty lease at the time. This virgin wreck
is circa 1570-1620.
...During
the spring and early summer, Tom
Gidus worked as chief diver and mag tech for Florida Research & Recovery
Group, Inc., based out of Port Canaveral. (www.floridarrg.com)
Seven miles
off the Cape Fear, NC. coast, Tom and diver Jason Turbeville discovered
a virgin shipwreck, estimated by archaeologist Rob Westrick to date to
the early to mid 1800's! Tom reports bringing up interesting artifacts
by the basketful. (see the news story here) Just
3 days after the discovery, the crew was caught in a severe squall and
their salvage vessel, the Damit Janet, ended up hard aground on a shoal
for 10 hours. The storm, one of the worst in recent history, resulted in
several sinkings, groundings and 2 deaths.
...Wreckovery
Salvage has again teamed up with Aquatic
Research & Recovery Group (ARRG) for 2008. This collaboration
has brought together a dynamic group of talented and experienced individuals
in the areas of remote sensing, shipwreck and aircraft recovery, marine
archaeology, underwater photography & videography and maritime research.
We have several very exciting and promising projects now in the planning
stages, including the recent filming of a pilot in Sebastian, FL. for a
possible TV series.
We have already secured a subcontract with the Mel Fisher Center to salvage the 1715 fleet wrecks. New mapping techniques have allowed us to identify previously unsearched areas of two major wrecksites. This will be our major project during the spring and summer months. However, we also have shipwreck projects being developed in North and South Carolina.
.. Another
project for 2008 is the continued exploration of E-110, Historical Research
& Development's (HRD) exploration area off Vero Beach. This wrecksite
has enticingly given up clues over the past few years as to the final resting
spot of what we suspect is an 18th century shipwreck. Wreckovery Salvage
has been working in unison with HRD since 1998. Newly uncovered historical
documentation as well as recent artifact discoveries in the water and on
the adjacent beach are helping to pinpoint the primary cultural deposit.
Due to the number of hurricanes that hit the Treasure Coast the last several
years, we have had few days to actually work. With these storms stirring
up the seafloor and moving things around, Wreckovery Salvage and HRD are
anticipating a very exciting and profitable year as we continue to follow
the debris trail that leads southeast and out to deeper water.
...Our
Henrietta Marie, Slave Ship museum display at the Orlando Public Library
is always a big hit during February's Black History Month. The collection
of authentic and replica artifacts and educational posters is gaining in
popularity each year and we have been invited back for a 2 month exhibit
in 2008. Sara B. Goff, Community Relations Director at the library
writes: "Thanks for sharing your Henrietta Marie exhibit with the library.
Quite a few patrons and staff members showed interest in the artifacts
and information. There was even a write up in the East Orange Times newspaper
(Wed, 2/9/05) about your exhibit !!"
...A
documentary shot in the summer of 2004 about HRD Inc and their recent discoveries
off Vero Beach has completed post production and we are looking for a suitable
venue to air the show. Interviews with Robert Westrick, Ernie Kling, Mo
Molinar and Tom Gidus were conducted. Mike Olafson of Vintage
Adventure is producing and directing the segment, called Gold, Gallons
and Ghosts: Diving For Spanish Treasure.
They that go
down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
these see
the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep.
Psalms 107:
23-24
