Author: Laura White
The first day of diving is always a day of great excitement, and particularly so in Sri Lanka, where the site is so unlike anything INA has ever done before!
Early in the morning, the team assembled, briefly went over the dive plan, and was transported by van to the port. We loaded all of our diving gear into one of three vessels: one of two Mercury inflatables purchased by INA for use on this excavation or the Seahorse.
Ken, Laura, and Orkan load diving gear onto the Seahorse. Photo by Karen Martindale.
We left the port with the sun, and arrived on the site a little less than an hour later, where our diving operations were intended to establish a permanent mooring on the site that could later be used to position the Seahorse in a prime location for working dives.
Project divemaster Laura White looks on as teams prepare to enter the water. Photo by Karen Martindale.
We also used the day to get reacquainted with the conditions on the site, which were vastly improved from last year. Though the currents and winds increase around midday, we discovered that dives in the morning enjoy fine seas and excellent visibility.
On the cusp of diving. Photo by Karen Martindale.
The diving day was successful, with all divers beings able to safely complete their dives and with several prospective mooring points located, and we look forward to continued accomplishments in the water!
