In depth research
is invaluable, and can save a great deal of the time and money
that would otherwise be spent on unnecessary electronic survey.
Historical research is carried out in libraries and international
archives, sometimes directly and sometimes through independent
research consultants. Research is usually directed at locating
an ancient shipwreck, although occasionally it is to identify
a shipwreck that has already been found. The primary research
aims are to pinpoint the wreck location, to determine the cargo,
and perhaps most importantly, to determine whether or not the
cargo has been salvaged, either by contemporaries or by modern
salvors. Site specific research is conducted to determine operational
constraints imposed by meteorological, oceanographic, and geographical
conditions. Political research is conducted to determine whether
a commercially viable license can be obtained in the country in
which a particular shipwreck lies, and whether the government
concerned is likely to abide by the terms of the license.
Depending on the commercial
viability of a project and the degree of risk, Maritime Explorations
may be willing to provide finance, or assist in raising finance.
Shipwreck recovery projects are notoriously high risk, although
that risk decreases as a project progresses. Staged funding is
sometimes advisable, where the cost of funds decreases with risk.
Finance is usually obtained from wealthy individuals with an interest
in history and maritime archaeology. Alternatively, corporate
sponsorship can be sought for archaeological projects with no
commercial goal. Maritime Explorations would only offer project
finance directly if given management control.
Over the years Maritime
Explorations has directly or indirectly held licenses with Vietnam,
Malaysia, and Indonesia. Ties have also been established with
the Philippines. Advice can therefore be offered on contract terms,
percentages, disposition of artefacts, etc. In these times
of heightened cultural awareness, it is becoming increasingly
important to have maritime archaeological qualifications in order
to obtain a license. Maritime Explorations can offer these, through
university degrees, experience, publications, and academic work.
a target area of high probability through research, electronic
survey equipment such as side-scan-sonar, magnetometer, sub-bottom
profiler, stand-alone or differential GPS, metal detector, depth
sounder, and ROV, must be deployed from a dedicated survey vessel
in order to locate and verify a shipwreck. Side-scan-sonar and
magnetometer are the primary remote detection tools. Maritime
Explorations has successfully utilised side-scan and/or magnetometer
to search for shipwrecks in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
The company currently owns and operates a Fisher SSS-100K Side-Scan-Sonar
and a Geometrics G-877 Precision Proton Magnetometer. Through
partners, Maritime Explorations also has access to an extensively
equipped 25 metre aluminium Survey
After a shipwreck is
located it must be verified and assessed. Verification often involves
dating, which can be determined from the stylistic analysis of
ceramics, vessel construction techniques, coin dates, and radiocarbon
analysis. Timber species identification is a useful tool in determining
vessel origin. Having confirmed the target vessel, the archaeological
and commercial value of the remains must be assessed. This is
often done by digging test trenches across the site and extrapolating
for cargo quantities. Maritime Explorations has the experience
necessary to readily assess the archaeological and commercial
value of a wide range of ceramic cargoes.
determining the best equipment to be used for survey or salvage.
It often entails the modification of existing equipment, or the
design and fabrication of new equipment, such as underwater dredging
gear, lifting gear, diving systems, video and lighting gear, etc.
Maritime Explorations specialises in water dredges, ranging from
stainless steel devices driven by high pressure diesel pumps to
PVC dredges driven by portable petrol fire pumps. A wide variety
of diving systems for depths up to 75 metres can be assessed.
Standard systems such as surface decompression on oxygen have
often been used, but recent experience with in-water decompression
on oxygen indicates that this is a viable option in tropical waters
in the 35 m plus range. Nitrox can significantly increase bottom
times and decrease decompression times in depths less than 35
has mobilised supply boats, tugs, and accommodation/dive support
barges for most past projects. In Singapore, arguably the best
place to mobilise in Southeast Asia, many contacts have been established
for the supply of vessels, dive gear, decompression chambers,
dive gasses, compressors, generators, air tuggers, porta-cabins,
anchors, winches, stores, etc. Various shipyards can also be recommended.
Deck layouts and logistics can be arranged worldwide.
SALVAGE / EXCAVATION
Salvage (usually referring
to recovery work on relatively modern ships, such as those from
World War II) and excavation (recovery work on older wooden wrecks)
is usually undertaken from an accommodation/dive support barge
with attendant tug, or a supply boat, although there are circumstances
that call for low budget work from fishing boats. Maritime Explorations
typically works with capable local crews, specifically in Indonesia,
Vietnam, and Malaysia. A labeled soft grid system is usually installed
prior to excavation, with one diver and one dredge assigned to
a single grid square. Systematic excavation can be readily controlled
by this means. No area is missed, and no area is worked twice.
Artefact locations can be easily mapped, and bulk cargo items,
such as ceramics, can be simply computer logged by grid square.
Many artefacts must
receive immediate first-aid conservation, or at least be stored
in a suitable medium, or risk rapid degradation. Copper alloy
artefacts can be stored dry, or in a sodium-sesquicarbonate solution.
Iron must be stored in a caustic solution. Ceramics and glass
cannot be allowed to dry out. Small organic items can be stabilised
with acetone/rosin or PEG treatment. While many artefacts require
professional conservation in well equipped laboratories, on-site
conservation can be effective. Almost all non-ceramic artefacts
from the Vung Tau Wreck were treated by Maritime Explorations
on site, and remain in good condition to this day in the Vung
the recording of shipwreck materials, artefacts and hull remains
in-situ by means of physical observation, measurement, photography,
video, and drawing. All artefacts are typically allocated a sequential
number, grid reference, typology, and description for entry into
a computer database such as Access. They can then by sorted and
grouped at will in order to produce distribution plots, an excellent
means of determining vessel layout, stowage patterns, and the
Having completed field
work, there is much scope for follow-up research. For an unknown
wreck, identification can be the primary research aim. European
wrecks can be identified through archival research. Asian wrecks
of the pre-European period cannot be specifically identified as
no records were kept, so research must be concentrated on identifying
vessel type, origin, and age. Artefacts can be researched to determine
their use and significance. The archaeological and commercial
value of a shipwreck can be greatly enhanced by a thorough understanding
of its historical context and relevance.
REPORTING / PUBLICATION
Publication is the
end result of detailed research. Without publication and dissemination
of information there is not much point in documenting a wreck.
It can be scholarly publication in an international journal, or
popular publication such as a coffee table book. In some instances
publication is purely for the academic community, and in others
it is to enhance the commercial value of the finds. Maritime Explorations
has published extensively in both scholarly and popular mediums
(see List of Publications).
varies with the shipwreck cargo. Cargoes such as ceramics are
often sold by auction houses such as Christie's and Sotherby's.
Non-ceramic cargoes can sometimes be sold as complete collections
by private treaty sale, and non-precious metal cargoes from more
recent wrecks can be sold as scrap or directly to smelters. Maritime
Explorations has dealt with all of these strategies. In almost
all cases, a properly documented and authenticated shipwreck is
most easily marketed.