NOAA Permit Application
for:Middle Keys Scuba Center
This site is designed by R.F.Boileau. All pictures and contents are for public viewing only and are not public domain
NOAA Permit Application
for:
Middle Keys Scuba Center
This site is designed by R.F.Boileau. All
pictures and contents are for public viewing only and are not public domain
Selected Search Area, Marathon (Key Vacca), in The Florida Keys........ For the past 17 years we have spent most of our time underwater as non-paid explorers.We have never done damage to the reef and have always been environmentally aware. All our efforts have been financed by ourselves. We have never solicited investors, loans or grants.
Prelude: Our permit
application is listed below for your review. It was submitted February 20, 1997, as
required to Ben Haskell, Science Coordinator, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary,
Marathon, Florida Keys 33050. Also copies were sent to John C.Halas, Resource Manager for
the FKNMS. As of this writing, March 13, 1998 we have received no written communication.
Some permits have been issued in as little as 35 days. Public records should show the
following applications filed from the Marathon area.
A). A.and T. Recovery, Inc.......................B). Pelican Aviation, Inc.
C). Middle Keys Scuba Center.................D). Capt. Tom R. Yerian
E). Maritime Archeological Research and Salvage.... This last entry dated 9/11/98 , All the above have received
acknowledgments and acceptance of their requested permits except Middle Keys Scuba Center.
View our Forum & Agenda....Click
Here
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FKNMS; Submerged Cultural Resources, Survey and Inventory Permit Application
Richard F Boileau; (305) 743-2902,
11511 Overseas Highway, Marathon,. Fl. Keys, 33050
1.) Title: In Search of Long Lost Ghost Ships....for the purpose of achieving our goals we have selected this initial limited area and request the permit duration for 24 months.
2.) Description: a) In 1852 the Maritime Courts granted approximately 67 permits for the salvage of Phantom Ships. Since then, exploration, discovery, and recovery have been a part of the Florida Keys lifestyle and economy. The salvaging of wrecks off the Florida coast started with the loss of Spanish fleets as a result of disasters caused by hurricanes and other unexpected mishaps. The Spanish salvaged their ships for over 30 years, while Indians and wreckers participated at every opportunity. Many articles in books and publications have speculated about the wrecks of Coffins Patch! Some detail that perhaps two of the 1733 Armada ships could have lost some of their cargoes at this site. Other information deals with the possibility of earlier ships (circa 1600's) being lost off Marathon. Records of the 1800's list the loss of many ships on and near Coffins Patch. Our objective is to perform a general survey and catalog the cross track contamination of the early wreck debris fields and contemporary wreck debris fields, and to show the diversity in the anatomy of shipwrecks based on environmental characteristics and impact.
b)Location:
Latitude... 1) 24 41.43.............2) 24 41.00........... 3) 24 41.61............4) 24
42.08
Longitude 1) 80 56.00............ 2) 80 56.00........... 3) 80 57.62............4) 80
57.63
c) The potential for wrecks in this area lends itself not only to those documented, which possibly range from the 1600's to contemporary, but those ghost ships that vanished after leaving port such as Spanish Situados (payroll ships). Then there were the unregistered ships from many ports such as privateers and slavers. Our research has demonstrated this potential to exist.
d) Natural resources that exists within the survey area would be described as tertiary patch reef, sand, sand rubble and some diversified grass areas. As to the ship wreck debris in the field base on the diversity of the sea bed some could be encrusted on top of the secondary and tertiary reef areas. Also other materials would be buried at depth of 1' to greater depths based on the seabed composition. Encrustation and amount of encrustation would be based on material composition and sedimentary composition and depth.
e) Methodology: Primary survey using a magnetometer, mapping from 0.1 Gamma to 10 Gamma variation detailing. Mapping of the suspected wreck site at broad and detailed scales, as appropriate. Navigation and positioning is achieved through a DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System). Primary depth information is collected with a video sounder. The data acquisition is down loaded to a P.C. The results, with accurate position, depth, heading and target information are stored on discs.
f) Vessels names are: Diver I, a Registered 28' Pontoon Boat and Tropic Diver a 28' Documented/Certified Vessel. Other equipment to be incorporated into our documentation includes; Magnetometer, DGPS, Video Sounders, Underwater Video Systems, assorted hand held electronics, 35mm Underwater Camera Systems and assorted survey equipment.
g) Applicant and affiliates:
Richard F. Boileau; (518) 456-8146, 1629 Central Ave. Albany, N.Y. 12205
(305) 743-2902, 11511 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Fl. 33050
Owner/ Operator, Diving Discovery and Middle Keys Scuba Centers
Suzanne Potts; (518) 456-8146, 1629 Central Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12205
(305) 743-2902, 11511 Overseas Highway, Marathon, Fl. 33050
Owner/ Operator; Diving Discovery and Middle Keys Scuba Centers
William F Wood; 555 95 Street, Ocean, Marathon, Fl. 33050
Charter Captain
3.) Personnel experience overview:
Suzanne Potts;
* Owner / Operator- Diving Discovery and Middle Keys Scuba Centers for 17 years.
* Professional and Commercial diver since 1978
* 10 years active, United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain
* Licensed Marine Radio Operator
* 17 years active Certified Scuba Instructor
* Masters Degree, Temple University
Synopsis: Knowledge in complete operations, in the performance of exploration and survey. This includes but is not limited to: Surface surveys, underwater grid surveys using hand held electronics, Location , Excavation , identification, preservation, cataloguing and researching of shipwreck materials; Also direct lab assistance with material analyses.
Related experience: 10 year research project of Adirondack lake covering glaciers, French and Indian wars, American Revolution and the Steamboat Era. Produced video series, "Arena of Underwater Adventures", featured on 8 of the public access television networks in the capital district. Directly involved with underwater search and discovery of previously unknown historical information which was found to have contributed significantly to the history of the area.
American Marine Salvage Inc.: 3 seasons surveying Delta Shoals wrecks- use of magnetometer. Location and recovery of anchors, cannons and wreck materials.
Logged over 15,000 dives, many in the performance of surveys using hand
held electronic equipment. Certified underwater photographer and experienced in underwater
video documentation.
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4.) Principal Supervisor (experience overview)
* Richard F Boileau; Owner
operator- Diving Discovery & Middle Keys Scuba for 17 years.
* Professional and commercial diver since 1978
* 10 years active, United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain
* Licensed Marine Radio Operator
* 17 years active Certified Scuba Instructor
* BFA, Mass. College of Art, Graduate courses at University of Mass. Amherst
Synopsis: Complete operations capability. Well versed in nautical archeology. Knowledge of magnetometer survey through (ground-truthing anomalies). Environmental excavation processes, recovery, identification, cataloging, preservation , research and identification.
Related experience: 10
years research project of Lake George in the Adirondacks, covering glaciers, the French
and Indian Wars, American Revolution and the Steamboat era. Produced the video series,
"Arena of Underwater Adventures", featured on 8 public access television
networks in the capital district of Albany, N.Y. Also responsible for underwater
discoveries of previously unknown historical information which was found to have
contributed significantly to the history of the area.
American Marine Salvage Inc.: 3 seasons surveying Delta Shoals wrecks- use of magnetometer
survey. Location and recovery of anchors and many cannons and ship wreck materials.
Logged over 15,000 dives, many in the performance of underwater surveys using u/w
electronic equipment. Approx. 5,000 hours of photo and video documentation.
5.) Financial Ability Statement:
Since the on-set of our quest for, search, research and discovery we have
been the only financial support of our personal accomplishments. This is made possible by
our business customers who have supported both the facilities of Diving Discovery in
Albany , N.Y. and Middle Keys Scuba Center in Marathon, Florida Keys. Our financial
ability to conduct our proposed survey is reflected/ demonstrated in the information
contained in this application.
6.) Required licenses, permits, approvals, authorizations.
NA (not applicable)
7.) It seems to us that an archaeologist is not necessary at this time.
8.) Signature of applicant
Richard F. Boileau ® Orig. Submit. Date: Feb. 20, 1997
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