Yesterday’s quick turn around of the ISIS permitted an early start this morning. By 0730 we were on board and set of to deploy the ROV on four of the many targets located over the past few days. These four were chosen on the basis of the team’s interpretation of the sonar data. We managed to accomplish all four dives, acquiring video footage and still photos in the process. We are very excited with what we saw and following a meeting with the Superintendence scheduled for tomorrow we hope to be able to share our finds.

Craig, Eric and Aaron conducting ROV operations from the ISIS.

Back at home base we dismantled the ROV so as to prepare the ISIS for our crossing to Elba that is planned for tomorrow. The crew have been given the day off tomorrow for a well deserved rest after what has been an intensive but very satisfying week.

Eric & Aaron preparing the ISIS for the trip to Elba.

We completed most of the areas that had been missed, meaning the side scan phase of the Ponza project is over. Over 20 survey lines and 100 nautical miles of systematic navigation completed have produced a mosaic of the seabed that enables us to garner a better understanding of the entire survey area. This mosaic also permits the exact mapping of targets and the creation of an archaeological map.

The results are looking very promising and a number of interesting targets are of particular interest. However, we cannot jump to conclusions until we visually inspect the targets with the ROV.