Niku VIII Funding

[Ric Gillespie]

With just about two weeks left to find funding for a Niku VIII expedition this year, we've produced a new fundraising video.  You can check it out on the TIGHAR homepage.  Please share it with anyone you think might donate.  Our plan is to use it in an Indiegogo crowd sourcing campaign. 

[George Lam]

Awesome, finally a promo video to Tighar's name.  Good work.

[Tim Mellon]

Ric,

I must admit to being somewhat disturbed by the sequence at 3:04 in your new video. It shows the submersible blasting off the underwater surface, creating a large cloud of "dust", and causing who-knows-how-much havoc with any potential artifacts below.

Do you have some protocol of movement in mind that would avoid such disturbances?

[Ric Gillespie]

Do you have some protocol of movement in mind that would avoid such disturbances?

Good point.  Yes, we've talked about that.  Disturbance of the surface by wash from the thrusters is a concern with any vehicle, remote or manned.  Some disturbance is unavoidable as you probably recall from our work with Wolfgang.  I wouldn't anticipate anything like the blast-off in the video.  In that case the sub was resting on the bottom beside the midget Japanese sub so the thrusters had to propel the entire weight of the submersible up off the bottom.  We won't be parking beside anything that looks interesting. 

[Tim Mellon]

Do you have some protocol of movement in mind that would avoid such disturbances?

Good point.  Yes, we've talked about that.  Disturbance of the surface by wash from the thrusters is a concern with any vehicle, remote or manned.  Some disturbance is unavoidable as you probably recall from our work with Wolfgang.  I wouldn't anticipate anything like the blast-off in the video.  In that case the sub was resting on the bottom beside the midget Japanese sub so the thrusters had to propel the entire weight of the submersible up off the bottom. We won't be parking beside anything that looks interesting.

In the 2010 videos, the ROV parked at least twice during the 8.55 minute section. It arose more gently, but still scattered some particles when it moved. In both cases, things that looked "interesting" (at least to me) were not discovered in real time, but only later.

[Ric Gillespie]

In the 2010 videos, the ROV parked at least twice during the 8.55 minute section. It arose more gently, but still scattered some particles when it moved. In both cases, things that looked "interesting" (at least to me) were not discovered in real time, but only later.

That's right. We try to learn from experience.

[Ric Gillespie]

Our long-awaited crowdsourcing campaign is now live at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-can-find-amelia-earhart/x/8445833

[James Champion]

We won't be parking beside anything that looks interesting. 

Oh Really?

I bet if you see a definite AIA, you will park beside it to get as many pictures as possible.



By AIA I mean Any Idiot Artifact.

[Ric Gillespie]

We won't be parking beside anything that looks interesting. 

Oh Really?

I bet if you see a definite AIA, you will park beside it to get as many pictures as possible.



By AIA I mean Any Idiot Artifact.

Truth be told, I won't be making those decisions. If something interesting is found the underwater archaeologist calls the shots - and archaeologists are a lot more conservative than I am.

[Russ Matthews]

I wouldn't anticipate anything like the blast-off in the video.

Agreed.  The so-called "blast off" is not typical and, I strongly suspect, was done purely for dramatic visual effect.

... the thrusters had to propel the entire weight of the submersible up off the bottom.

Actually, I can't agree with you there.  Remember that a submersible in the water column doesn't operate like a helicopter or a Harrier jump jet in the atmosphere.  It is more akin to an (extremely maneuverable) airship in that the pilot can trim ballast so the vehicle "weighs" less than two ounces .. or even so it becomes positively buoyant.  A full power thrust is not at all necessary to heave its bulk off the bottom, but it sure looks cool on camera.  I'm certain the spot near the Japanese midget sub wreck was carefully chosen and the shot staged so as not to disturb the artifact.

The real time presence of live eyes and brains aboard the HOVs (Human Occupied Vehicles) is a major advantage that means anything "interesting" can be spotted more reliably and investigated immediately.  Plus, the wide field of view, powerful lighting, and precision control afforded by the Pisces subs will allow for a more prudent and considered exploration of whatever promising targets are detected.

[Ric Gillespie]

Good point. Thanks Russ.

[Monty Fowler]

Annnddddddddddddddd we're off!

I can say that because I live next door to Kentucky and that horsey-racey-thingy they do every year.

LTM, who never understood the appeal of Mint Juleps,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 ECSP

[JNev]

The video is excellent, Ric - great thumbnail of the best of TIGHAR's efforts I think.

Hope it brings some big interest!

[Jeff Scott]

There sure is a is big gap between the $125 donation and $300,000 donation levels!

[Ric Gillespie]

There sure is a is big gap between the $125 donation and $300,000 donation levels!

True.  I added a bunch of new lower level "perks" but I'm having trouble coming up with rewards for $500, $1,000, $5,000, etc.

Ideas?