Operation survey aboard the Surveillant
 
Operation survey aboard the Surveillant
With our work limited to bay of Algiers, we continue our dives in the area of Hussein Dey. This decision was taken yesterday at the time of the daily briefing. Hervé Blanchet, our remote sensing technician, gave us some points to be checked. This morning we quickly input these co-ordinates in the GPS to facilitate the marking of these points.

The entire group of trainees and divers embarks on the Surveillant, the high-speed motorboat of the Algerian Navy. All appear relieved to leave the port of Algiers to go out to sea, which is extremely calm this morning.
Once on site, the high-speed motorboat anchors in north east of the zone. The zodiac is launched but an engine problem develops and this forces us to a second RIB of the navy so as to ensure that the diving operations continue. It arrives quickly and the first dives can start.

A buoy is set on the first point. The divers carry out a circular search measuring 15 meters using a metal detector.
The visual survey in the zone finally makes it possible to detect the source of the magnetic anomaly: a large cutting tool beside a steel tube that is inserted in sand. It is a large object on the sandy seabed of the bay. This circular metal structure is covered in various forms of marine life.

 
Divers are carried on the zodiac to marked points
 
Divers are carried on the zodiac to marked points

The second group of divers also carries out a survey of the zone around the second buoy. Their search is just as profitable as that of the first group. They find many metal objects (pieces of sheet-metal, tyres and rims etc some are certain to have seen fragments of a plane !). However, this is all modern material that provides a good refuge for a variety of fish.
On board, the crew, officers and members of the team have a relaxed chat that contributes to the great atmosphere on board the vessel.

 
Claudio Cimino rend visite à l'équipe
 
Claudio Cimino rend visite à l'équipe

Following this day at sea, the group makes their way back to Bouzarea.

A little later, Claudio Cimino the director of the RMSU team (consultants to Euromed Heritage projects), pays us a courtesy call. Around the large table that is used for our meetings we discuss the progress made so far, the various difficulties met with.
Claudio also introduced himself to each member of the team.
After more than an hour, he sets out again towards the city so as to meet the other young trainees.