Hi Neo,
Thanks for your post.
I want to make it absolutely clear that I have NO experience dredging. However, my years on the water make me totally qualified to handle a project like this. Let me elaborate.
I was in the US Coast Guard for 8 years. I spent a year on board an 82ft cutter in Viet Nam working with the "Brown Water Navy". I also spent 3 years aboard a 95ft Search and Rescue cutter here in Fort Lauderdale Florida. I was both an underway and inport Officer of the Deck and Engineer. I am also a certified diver.
I spent a year working out of Galveston Texas running crew boats hauling crews and supplies out to the drill and production platforms.
I worked for Broward Seawall and Piling here in Fort Lauderdale operating their barge. This barge had a crawler crane on it with spuds on two corners. We had diesel power and I was responsible for maintenance and operation of the barge but not the crane. I had a crew of five and we would move in to a new location, the crane operator would drop the spuds, and we would proceed to break off the old seawall cap, drive pilings at an angle, form and pour a new cap. This job was very similar to but a whole lot more difficult than what they are doing with the barge that has the excavator on it. Those guys are just scratching up dirt from the bottom and dumping it through the processor. They are not building anything.
As to my time in Alaska, I spent a summer there aboard the USCGC Winona doing what we called a "Fishery Patrol". I was in Kodiak, Dutch Harbor, Adak, and most of the rest of the Aleutian Islands. I know the summer on the Bering Sea. I know how fast the weather can change and I know the signs that say bad stuff is coming.
As to my plan, I would only consider an operation using a barge like the Christina Rose with an excavator. To me, diving is way too dangerous and not nearly profitable enough.
As to the location, I would prefer Nome if a claim could be had. If not, I would think there must be other areas where this kind of operation would be allowed. I have a friend who was involved in an operation that never got off the ground due to the death of one of the principles who was the main driving force. No, he didn't die prospecting. My friend still has all of the records as to where they had planned to operate. These guys had millions available to them and I am sure they would have made big money.
Either way, you and I know dredging is not a new idea and with the gold prices, this can be a great way to go. All it takes is the capital and serious people who know how to go about it.
From what I have seen, the miners shown on TV are for the most part totally inept and dangerous. You would never catch me dragging myself out to the grounds with the excavator bucket because I had no propulsion. What Morons! Equipment needs maintenance. Simple. You have to know and watch the weather. Simple. You cannot do it on a shoestring. Simple.
I am 65 years old and I have a lifetime on the water. I joined the Coast Guard when I was 17. I am currently a Licensed Yacht Broker. I have never left the water and things marine. I have left out a ton of experiences I have but suffice to say, I can do this! Of course, we would need someone like you who knows the actual separation and clean out part but all in all, I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that I could ramrod a deal like this. I would be hands on and actually run the barge. There would be NO drunks or dopers allowed! Period!
I mentioned in my original post I was looking for someone with "Deep Pockets", because I don't want to get someone involved who will be using their "Rent Money". I only want to do this if cash is not an issue. I am sure there is someone out there who would see this as not only a money making venture but also as an Adventure and a lot of fun.
If anyone out there sees some sense in what I am proposing, feel free to contact me.
Thanks,
Capt. Mike AKA Kafeman
IMO you are fine so far.
