Isolation Room whale Bone Restoration Dive 1

[MichaelAngelo]

After receiving permission from the land owner and formulation of a restoration plan we did our first dive today. In formulating this plan I sought out the opinions of Forrest Wilson (CDS) and Kelley Jessop (NFSA) as well consultation with the tech department of the epoxy’s manufacturer. I also used before and after pictures of the whale bone. I have never seen the whalebone so I asked my friend Rich Courtney to guide and help me on these dives. After researching several options we believe the best chance for a successful restoration is the recovery the broken pieces of the whale bone and using an epoxy formulated for use underwater repairing ocean and artificial reefs. This epoxy was chosen because it is proven to set and be applied underwater and known to be inert and not harmful to the environment. The objectives of today were to:
A) Conduct a visual survey of the site and determine if a restoration is possible.
B) If a restoration is possible then recover the broken pieces to be worked on, on dry land (if at any point it becomes apparent that the restoration will fail then return the pieces to the Insulation Room). Finally determine if the piece still in the wall is solidly attached or if it is needed to be removed whereas, then reassemble the whole whale bone then reattach it to the wall.
C) Photograph and video to document the effort.
Today’s Dive:
We met at Ginnie where we went over the dive plan, copies of the before and after images. I also carried Tupperware containers in a duffle bag to safely handle the pieces. Rich led the dive where we scootered to about 2200 ft where we dropped both our stages and DPV’s. We swam to the site where I took a quick video of the site. The piece remaining in the wall was solid and not removable. The broken pieces consisted of 3 large pieces and multiple of smaller pieces. I test fitted the large pieces and found they line back up nicely to the piece still in the wall. I then began collecting the 3 large pieces and as many of the small pieces as possible. This process, as well as bubble exhaust, began to reduce visibility. After 20 minutes or so, visibility decreased enough to call the dive. We stowed the pieces and swam to the DPVs and stages and began our exit. Exit and deco were uneventful. Dive time was a little under 2 hours. On the surface, we found the 3 large pieces plus several smaller pieces fitted together nicely and we have high hopes for success. We plan another recovery dive this week to get any pieces missed.
Michael Angelo Gagliardi
NACD Conservation Chair

[Danseur]

Bloody well done!!!

[ScottW]

Thank you both for your efforts in restoring this piece of history.
Looking forward to seeing the restoration one day.


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[Sly-vester]

Well done, MichaelAngelo.

[Kelly Jessop]

Great job!!!!

[scubainchicago]

After seeing and examining the pieces, what are your thoughts on how the damage was caused?

Thanks for the time and effort

[MichaelAngelo]

It looked to me like someone lost vis and was pulling or groping along the wall then pulled it off thinking it was a hand hold. There seems to be hand prints along the wall going past it but no tool marks. I am less concerned on how it happened at the juncture then how to solve the problem of restoring.

[caveflyer]

Bloody well done!!!

+ 1

[adam_Hughes]

This is amazing.

[decostanza]

Nice job and thanks for the update