All factual points, of course. And of course a public forum is what it is - but you have an audience that is interested, which seems like a positive thing.
What seems to sum out of much of this is that TIGHAR has, by her efforts, at the very least swept the onshore and near shore environment well enough to know 'where not to look further' (with the possible exception of the anomaly, depending on the outcome of the 'hail Mary').
Which seems to leave a need - if one intends to finish scouring the Niku possibility, offshore / deeper capabilities. At a glance, that does suggest 'bigger bucks, bigger ship, bigger / more equipment' - BIG TIME, granted.
Maybe that's not as undoable as you think. But it may require a major expansion of the hypothesis.
Not for me to say obviously, but again - be glad you have an audience - and even those sound critical are not necessarily against you or looking more deeply -
As you point out, four major firms were engaged - and all were defeated 'by Niku' - arguably, but never mind: what MAY count (your call, not mine, of course) is "why did they fail and what can we do about it, and where / how should we be looking next?" If you want to find that dang bird (and sorry, but some of us just think that is the indespensible terminating action for this hypothesis, realizing 'preponderance' is also floated but not enough for many, apparently), then maybe this is something to consider.
I realize you just got whacked in the hot sun out there and are now taking howitzer shots left and right, as it must feel. But what do you want out of this, Ric? You are convinced she's there - have said so, to me here lately in fact - OK, I can respect that whale in your waters (I would like her to be too). You've counted a lot on 'perusal' but still struggle (consider where the discussion still is), and the anomaly could be 'it', but dangit all...
Looks to me like you own it as it is (duh, I know you know that better than any of us could possible realize) - so where do you want to take it from here???
- Cave, claim perusal and write the book on what's gone to date and do tours, or -
- Regroup, build a blue-ribbon panel of the best talent you can muster to look at all that has gone before and consider where / how to look next, and go for the gold ring?
I know you are sick of hearing my opinions - and I give you great credit for allowing me to even still be here, realizing that. But it seems like TIGHAR needs to 'rebrand' into something bigger and badder and take the full-blown chance of finding her or not finding her on the greater slopes of Niku, once and for all - if you really want that gold ring to go down in history.
Where / how?
Where -
You and others have been there, not me - but after seeing that really nice video taken during the Princess tour, I was struck at how wide, long and smooth some of those beaches appear to be - and how rough that reef 'flat' really can be. Does there need to be an expanded / deeper examination of the reef slope to rule it out, and then work around the island? HUGE task, but Nauticos mowed a lot of lawn, and not all of it smooth either.
How -
BIG ship, MULTIPLE devices, most proven - dunno, but seems like you need the wisdom from all you've lived through plus that of people like Nauticos attracted.
Just thoughts. Including that having 'mortgaged the future' and that you have a lot on the line, either go BIG, own this thing in a whole new bold way, or curl up with the 'perusal' business.
Not saying it's easy - I never had to raise one dime to do what you've done. But I know such projects DO happen. Can Gillespie reinvent himself and TIGHAR in a big way to go after that?
Make of it what you will - but despite all my concerns and criticisms, I offer you those thoughts honestly and in the clear here. You're the only one who knows what he really wants out of this, or what you're willing to do to get it, of course - board and organization be damned: you are at the helm, that's been clear for a long time (with all respect to board, etc. of course - but...).
BTW, if I was a hater or a troll, I wouldn't bother with any of this. I wouldn't take the chance of raising your ire or pour out my own observations. You can call me naive, or amateur - and yes, I may be those things. But I'm an honest thinker and if I bother to tell you what I think, then at least don't call me an enemy.
Just thoughts - and I suggest that guys like Eddie, John and Oskar here have similar value for you.
Glad you are all back safe.