How To Find A Lost Prop In The Ocean

We were able to locate and recover a ship prop that was lost on the seafloor somewhere in the ocean. In this video we show how we accomplished this seemingly impossible task.
The ocean is huge, and by comparison a tugboat propeller is a very small item. To attempt to find it was a monumental task in itself, but we did not just want to find it, we wanted to recover it as well.
We started by investigating the information provided by the tugboat captain. He was able to provide details about when he thought the prop detached and sank to the seafloor. This included some mapping data that included a recorded navigational track. From this provided information, we were able to generate a planned search area where we hoped the prop would lie within. This was still a very large area and not something scuba divers would be able to realistically cover.
The next step was to side-scan survey the determined search area. Thanks to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Dive Team, we were able to scan the region and noted an anomaly observed on the seafloor. The location was noted and then a scuba diver was sent down to explore the ocean floor. The seawater was murky, and the diver had limited visibility. Fortunately, the diver had underwater sonar equipment which provided some navigational assistance. The diver observed a structure on the sonar and swam towards it. When the diver returned to the surface it was confirmed the ship propeller had been found!
Many weeks later a large ocean-going barge and crane were mobilized over the seafloor where the prop was located. A hardhat diver secured rigging to the propeller on the ocean floor and then the crane removed the propeller from the sea. The prop had been recovered!
Video production by Kistel Media LLC
Video host = Joe Kistel
#scubadiving #explore #salvage

[@bwfollis]

So cool to see the salvage after hearing the story at lunch. Awesome video!

[@UWPICVID]

Thanks!

[@user-nr7hv3sd6l]

Very interesting. Well done.

[@UWPICVID]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks Bill.

[@lars2923]

Good news all around. One question though. Who is Joe Kistel ?

[@UWPICVID]

Ed deserves a golden globe for his performance in this one!

[@jiggityjett]

@divetalk