The Asbury Park Press has reported on a diving expedition off the coast of New Jersey that recently investigated a historic shipwreck. The craft in question is the Robert J. Walker, which sank in 1860 after colliding with a commercial ship transporting coal.
This ship, named Fanny, was also damaged in the crash. According to specialists involved in the search, the government did not perform a full investigation at the time because of the impending Civil War, and it became known as the "$25 Dollar Wreck" after the price a local lobster fishermen sold it for.
Diving insurance is a necessary consideration when heading into such old wrecks, and the condition of the boat is important. In this case, the Walker, which is longer than 130 feet and originally functioned as a steam ship, became a well-known site for lobster trappers.
The source quotes Steve Nagiewizc, a diver who led the underwater research team. He told the APP about the process of preparing the site for further visits from scientists, which includes setting up down lines directly above the crash site. Once they were secured to the wreck, under 85 feet of water, the crew could begin exploring.
"The purpose of this work is to create dive slates to act as tour guides for divers," he said. "It's also for people who don't dive to understand what happened here. There are still echoes of the past in that rusted iron down there."
Wrecks with this much history need to be prepared before the diving and site work actually begins. Dive support vessel insurance is a necessity to ensure that businesses are protected for the entire process.