Pictures: R/V Nautilus Renovations Completed in Ecuador/Work to resume

[Patrimony]

Greetings and Happy New Year Everyone: Following two months of repairs, renovations, new additions and a complete hulling and repainting, the R/V Nautilus is ready to go back to work following the 700 ft trail of galleon debris excavated and mapped at Jama during work conducted between September and November 2006. She was placed back in the water near Salinas, Ecuador two days ago and after a lot of hard work over the past two months, the crew are taking a break to rest up for what is to come. A swing arm crane capable of lifting four tons was one of the new additions to the vessel (I think we are going to need it) in addition to a new fill station, ship's galley, blower modifications, new safety features and about $6000 worth of new electronics and parts upgrades.

Besides the continued mission at Jama to follow, excavate and map the rest of the scatter trail to discover the main pile which we believe is not more than a mile away across the shoal since deeper water begins just past that point, other new work on promising anomalies and discoveries made near Manta in our other lease will also take place for the first time in the weeks ahead. These will take place at the site of the 1590 galleon loss, The Remedios. Also, a planned investigation of an interesting location discovered at Isla Plata several years back, but which was kept quiet, will also take place this spring. Isla Plata was made famous as the place where Drake dumped 50 tons of silver back in 1579. The latter expedition will occur following the conclusion of agreements currently underway with the lease holder of that site.

Everyone is keeping our fingers crossed that 2007 will be a banner year for the Nautilus and her crew and that there will many more tales to share. Stay tuned. Patrimony

[Patrimony]

Picture of Stern

[Patrimony]

Modern Hoist at Salinas Boat Yard, Ecuador

[Salvor6]

Hey Pat, thanks for keeping us updated on your progress. The Nautilus looks great! I wish you the best of luck this year.

[rgecy]

Hey Pat,

I notice you have blower extensions on the Nautilus. Is this a new addition? How deep of water are you blowing and how big are the blowers? Have you seen a significant difference in depth with the extensions?

Thanks,

Robert in SC

[Patrimony]

It is only 20 ft deep but the bottom is composed of very hard compressed clay and so we like to channel the blast as tight as possible against the bottom to break it up. Otherwise, no, the blower extensions are not new although the mounts and brackets holding them have been modified to handle the load and stress better since we often work in those long, ten foot Pacific swells which often run at intervals of a thousand feet. When you work in the Pacific you have to relearn how to do this as Atlantic side experiences do not prepare one for this environment.

JR

[ScubaDude]

Patrimony, tell us more about the boat. Size, make, power, accomodations?

Thanks,
Brad

[ScubaFinder]

Joel,

The Nautilus is looking great, best of luck this year. I would also like to hear the answers to Brad's questions...she looks to e perfect for her job. Keep us posted.

Jason