In the What's Next for the Earhart Project section of the new TIGHAR Tracks (printed copies being mailed tomorrow) I wrote:
Deep Water Search
Three expeditions have demonstrated that underwater search operations on Nikumaroro’s steep, unstable coral reef slope using remote sensing technology (AUVs and ROVs) are inefficient, inconclusive, and problem-plagued. Manned submersibles are probably the only way to do a thorough underwater search for whatever remains of the Electra. However, the future of the Hawaii Undersea Laboratory Pisces subs is in doubt and it is presently unclear whether other suitable manned submersible technology is available. In any case, a thorough search using manned submersibles will require a level of funding that may or may not be achievable. We’ll be looking for the right subs and a willing sponsor.
For those who do not regularly read the TIGHAR Facebook page, I posted the following two days ago.
Until recently, prospects for a comprehensive underwater search for the Earhart Electra were looking bleak. Three expeditions have demonstrated that underwater search operations on Nikumaroro’s steep, unstable coral reef slope using remote sensing technology (AUVs and ROVs) are inefficient, inconclusive, and problem-plagued. Manned submersibles are the only way to do a thorough underwater search for whatever remains of the Electra. The only suitable submersibles are the two Pisces subs of the Hawaii Undersea Laboratory (HURL). However, the Pisces subs were scheduled for deactivation and the University of Hawaii was planning to disband HURL.
Fortunately, there has been a last minute reprieve through a major influx of money from a foreign contract. The subs will now be upgraded and returned to service. Plans are also afoot for using the subs in an underwater survey of all of the Phoenix Islands and seamounts a year or two down the road. If that comes about we should be able to put together a TIGHAR search using the subs without incurring the huge cost of positioning the ship nine days each way from Hawaii.
Response to that news on the TIGHAR Facebook page has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. It's hard to overstate the importance of this new development.