Background

Maritime Explorations carried out a successful side-scan-sonar survey for a tin wreck in 1999. The wreck was located in the Java Sea, Indonesia. In 2000, Maritime Explorations excavated the wreck under a license issued by the Indonesian Government.

Spread

A 55 m accommodation/dive support barge and attendant tug were mobilised from Singapore to carry out the excavation. Both Superlite and hooka surface supplied diving systems were used, with in-water decompression on oxygen. A decompression chamber was available for emergency treatment. Airlifts were deployed for excavation, and air tuggers and an A-frame were used to lift the cargo to the surface.

Recovered Cargo

The recovered cargo consisted almost entirely of tin ingots.