This is the article about the proposed Betchart Expedition that was published in the recent edition of TIGHAR Tracks
As last year’s Niku VIII expedition was wrapping up operations and preparing to begin the voyage back to Fiji, Betchart Expeditions arrived with the first ever commercial tourist cruise to Nikumaroro. Aboard as guides and lecturers were TIGHAR Senior Archaeologist Tom King and a small staff of experienced TIGHAR expedition veterans. During Betchart’s four-day stay the island favored the sixty-person tour group with moderate weather and calm seas. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience. They were able to explore the island’s sites of interest and, under the supervision of the TIGHAR staff, uncovered what Tom King describes as some “provocative possibilities.”
The cruise was such a success that Betchart Expeditions is hoping to reprise the trip in 2017 with a larger vessel and about twice as much time (7-8 days) at the island. Once more, Tom King plans to be aboard, this time with a team of fifteen experienced TIGHARs and selected specialists to carry out an ambitious research agenda including the use of several small ROVs. He’ll put on a "field school" for passengers aboard ship en route to the island, emphasizing ethical treatment of the island and its resources. Those who want to take part in work on the island will have to take the field school.
The overall cost to each passenger for the whole trip, including discounted air fare to and from Fiji from Los Angeles, is about $11,000. If you are interested in participating please contact Betchart Expeditions at
http://betchartexpeditions.com/.
To learn more about Tom King’s research plan see
http://ameliaearhartarchaeology.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-voyage-to-nikumaroro-in-2017.htmlAs with all expeditions, the trip is contingent upon sufficient funding. Betchart Expeditions must sell enough tickets to justify the charter and, because TIGHAR’s fundraising efforts must remain focused on the Niku IX search for the Earhart Electra, Tom King has accepted the responsibility for raising the estimated $200,000 needed to put his team aboard the Betchart cruise. We’re hopeful that both expeditions to Nikumaroro will be successful in raising the needed funds and achieving their respective goals.