CAPT KUJO going to dive the USS Arizona

CAPT KUJO · 10-27-2003, 09:55 AM

Hey all you Salty Dogs ,

I've just been contacted by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior and the National Park Service. I have been a SCUBA diving instructor/examiner for them over that last 10 years. About 6 years ago I was offered an opportunity to Dive on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor to help map out the wreck as well as develop on underwater oil "catch" system to determine how much oil was leaking daily. Somehow over the years the system I developed got lost and I have been invited to build another one and come to Hawaii to reinstall it.

This is again an opportunity of a lifetime! I can't put into words the feelings and emotions felt while being there the 1st time. This time I will be shooting my own personal pictures to post here on Ifish, as just for all ifishers to enjoy. Let me know if you might have any photographic requests. I will be leaving the 13th of November until the 20th and will be posting pics as my diving schedule permits. LIke to hear any requests or input.

CAPT KUJO

Threemuch · 10-27-2003, 10:31 AM

So they are trying to catch the "rainbow of tears" before it gets into the harbor, eh? Very moving visiting the wreck, I can't imagine diving on it.

How do you collect the oil? I understand if you don't want to divulge in case it is unpatented intellectual property.
KB

Reef Diver · 10-27-2003, 10:40 AM

KUJO,
Man that would be an Awesome experience! To be able to have a once (twice in your case) in a life time experience diving a sanctuary like the Arizona! Looking forward to the pictures of the adventure. I had the opportunity to visit the Arizona years ago and got chills thinking about
what it would be like to dive around it.
If you are putting together a dive team I would ask to be on your list. I would be honored to be part of Team KUJO in Hawaii!
Reef Diver

CAPT KUJO · 10-27-2003, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Threemuch:
So they are trying to catch the "rainbow of tears" before it gets into the harbor, eh? Very moving visiting the wreck, I can't imagine diving on it.

How do you collect the oil? I understand if you don't want to divulge in case it is unpatented intellectual property.
KB

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Threesmich - I basiclly take drysuit fabric and make it large enough to fit over a 4X4 ship hatch where the oil has been leaking from, it loks like a huge pyrimid. At the tope is a 1/4 neoprene sleeve that a quart bottle fits in, the neoprene sleeve keeps the device up as the oil gets caght under the "tent" it is collected in the bottle suspended at the top. Based on the last time I was there the Park Service estimated approx 1800 gals of the black tar looking oil had seeped out over a 40 year period. Will be interesting to see if that number has changed.

CAPT KUJO