Happy belated Father’s Day! It was indeed a happy day for the team at Kizilburun, as all six remaining drums were successfully raised from the sea bed in just one day. Yesterday our Turkish co-director Harun had to return to work in Izmir, but not before we grabbed another group photo, this time from the stern of Virazon while docked at camp. We’d like to thank Harun again for his contribution to the team this year, and hope to see him again soon!
After another day of preparations yesterday, though, today was the day we’ve all been waiting for! The day started early with the arrival in camp of Mayis 19 at 5:45. Captain Eray came aboard and asked to see photographs of the rigged drums. At that time we learned that the lifting of each drum would be accomplished using a crane and not a winch, meaning that it would take up to 30 minutes per drum since each would have to be lifted in increments only as large as the crane could be raised.
Despite a few technical problems in the morning, we did manage to get six successful dives in before all the sunlight was lost. Then as the sun set over the cape we bid our 6 column drums a fond au revoir. Bodrum Museum representative Ibrahim took Harun’s video camera with him to record the trip, which will end tomorrow morning in Bodrum.
With news of an incoming storm, the Virazon headed for Telekom Bay and we all enjoyed a late dinner of grilled vegetables, fries, and garlic yogurt with a few beers, as we toasted our collective success.
