Maritime Mysteries Explorers

The Maritime Mysteries Explorers channel is now up on YouTube with our sizzle reel and a number of interviews about the Sunda Shelf Archaeology Project and the Viscount Melbourne wreck.

Maritime Mysteries

Southern Sun Archaeology is now Maritime Mysteries Explorers: Well Known Belgium Artist is also our Archaeologis...

While in Europe, Roze visits her Belgium archaeologist friend, who help them verify the wreck of the Viscount Melbourne.

Southern Sun Archaeology is now Maritime Mysteries Explorers: Well Known Belgium Artist is also our Archaeologis...: Well Known Belgium Artist is also our  Archaeologist: The other really good excuse to go to Europe was to visit " Dirk Eelen" our officia...

Southern Sun Archaeology is now Maritime Mysteries Explorers: Unexpected Surpirses:Just before heading down to L...

Southern Sun Archaeology is now Maritime Mysteries Explorers: Unexpected Surpirses:Just before heading down to L...: Unexpected Surpirses: Just before heading down to Luven by train, I received out of the blue a totally unexpected  call from a producer in...

Southern Sun Archaeology is now Maritime Mysteries Explorers: The Loss of the "Viscount Melbourne" an English Ca...

Southern Sun Archaeology is now Maritime Mysteries Explorers: The Loss of the "Viscount Melbourne" an English Ca...: The Loss of the "Viscount Melbourne" an English Cargo Ship shipwrecked in the South China Sea in 1842: As promised, the reason why I hav...

Mystery Maritime Explorers, Miri-Day 6 & 7

After arriving back at the marina, we get an interview with their benefactor on the wreak project, local businessman and owner of the marina, Troy Yaw.  Later in the morning we head back out again to get a selection of underwater pick-up shots.  The rest of the day and the next is spent conducting interviews with everyone and getting one last group discussion.  Saturday, Eric and I are heading back to KK.  Overall, we feel we have gotten some good footage and the makings of a very interesting story. 

Mystery Maritime Explorers, South China Sea, Luconia Shoals-Day 5

Conditions hold for another two dives before some swells come up from the southwest making further dives more treacherous.  There was a unusual shape the showed up on the depth sounder on the way in, so we decide to go check it out.  We make several attempt to get a drop line on it but the current takes our line out of position and it is too deep to dive on safely.  Returning to the reef we pick up our mooring line but with the swells coming in, Hans doesn't feel it is secure and we are surrounded on three sides by reef.  So it is decided with conditions deteriorating we will head back to Miri.

Mystery Maritime Explorers, South China Sea, Luconia Shoals-Day 4

We arrive at the reef to over 2 dozen little fishing boat and their 'mother ship' off in the distance.  These are apparently Chinese fishermen flying under a Malaysian flag to fish these reefs.  They are not sure what we are about so they just go about their business like we were not even there.  We get an anchor out and later will set up on a mooring that Hans arranged the last time they were out here.  Phil, Roze and Tristan prepare for the first dive.  Eric is ready before them and goes in with his camera.  Most of the time is spent setting up the delivery system with two baskets on lines along with a floater to bring it up to the surface.  The floaters have a habit of leaking so the lines are there as a precaution.  At a depth of 40 meters the divers are limited to just 9 minutes so they have to work fast.    As per usual, the floater fails on both baskets and they are hauled up with the line.  Conditions are good so there will be two more dives during the day.  Later after dark, Eric takes Tristan down for a night dive, with the lights used for filming the wreak takes on a little more clarity than during the day and they are able to get a much clearer outline of the ship.