Friday, 6 Jan 2012
We arrived at Frederick Reef about 3 am… announced by the rattling of the anchor chain through the boat. Most people were up about 6 am to catch their first glimpse of the reef and sand cay. After breakfast at 7 am we started preparing for check-out dives. Before the dives Kieran gave a general historical briefing and a dive safety briefing about the diving procedures we will be using. The first dives were done between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm in teams of three or four. We had a late lunch and went straight back for a second check-out as a boat dive. Final divers were up at 4.30 pm. One of the teams located a timber that appears to be from the wreck!
Very close by was an iron staple knee. A reinforcing structure that may have supported two deck beams.
Photographer: Xanthe Rivett
After completing dive logs, washing gear and writing up notes we finally finished off at 6 pm. A 12-hour day and the crew were a bit weary! Dinner was served at 7.30 pm, followed by a debrief of the day’s activities. Xanthe Rivett, our expedition photographer, put on a slideshow of the day’s photos. Here are just a few…
Photographer: Xanthe Rivett
Photographer: Xanthe Rivett
Photographer: Xanthe Rivett
(Sr. Curator and archaeologist)