After looking at the full size photo and the cropped enhanced version I can see where the object may be one of the main gear assemblies standing upright on the reef. What I am wondering is can anyone determine how far from the shoreline the object is and what the water depth would be there? This might allow some guesstimate of the size of the object and either allow or eliminate the gear as a candidate. Additionally, if it is a gear assembly, would that be some type of mount plate on the top of it. Being somewhat mechanically inclined but not familiar with the Electra's construction, I would think that the strut would be affixed to some type of plate to spread the load upon landing. From there it would attach to the rest of the structure. Riveted aluminum structure held in place would be torn away by repeated wave action. If this is a gear assembly in the photo, would it be likely to have separaed from the rest of the plane in such a way? Pure conjecture I know, but since I can't go on the expedition I have to do something. LTM