Project Description
Visitors will be brought into the 10 x 10 National Historic Site by small, motorized vessel (including but not limited to: dingy, life boat, motor yacht, inflatable, cuddy boat, etc). The goal is to view the wreck of HMS Erebus from the surface. There will be no opportunity to dive down to the wreck site itself. For this year, it is proposed that there will be 2 small boats carrying 12 passengers each (including driver and guide) directly above the wreck at any given time, plus at least 1 auxiliary boat to provide safety support and emergency response. Over the course of 8 hours, a maximum of 200 visitors (100 is more likely) will visit the wreck by zodiac, in shifts. Additional small vessels (up to 17) may be present in the 10x10 National Historic Site, shuttling staff and visitors to the temporary camp.
On-site activities will include:
o Visiting the temporary camp on a nearby island (as described in NIRB #15YN037). This will act as a staging area for in boat, and in water activities. Changing and warming tents will be provided, as well as a portable toilet tent.
o snorkelling above the wreck according to guidelines provided by PCA Underwater Archaeology Team (below)
o use of bathyscopes from small vessels, over the wreck site
o viewing, on iPad, of PCA UAT-manned ROV footage
There will be no permanent structures, excavation, or site modification. No waste will be left on site.