Watch: Submersible Finds Lost Shipwreck in the Bahamas
A Glimpse into the Ocean’s Depths
SEAmagine, a company that builds transparent submarines, has been helping treasure hunters and historians uncover some of the world’s greatest artifacts. Their submersibles allow anyone to go deep into the ocean for private explorations, scientific work, or even tourism.
The Unexpected Discovery
In October 2024, SEAmagine’s team and some clients were conducting additional training in the Bahamas, diving deeper than 800 feet, when they made an unexpected discovery. “All of a sudden out of the corner of my eye we see a bow of a ship, leaning vertically,” said Charles Kohnen, the president of SEAmagine.
The San Salvador II: A Military Ship with a Rich History
The ship they discovered was the San Salvador II, a military ship commissioned in 1955 for the US Coast Guard under a different name. According to Kohnen, it was decommissioned and given to the Royal Bahamas Defence Force until 1999, when it sank during a storm due to an engine fire.
A Rare Find
But, do they find hidden treasures like this one frequently? “We do, it is amazing. The moment you go below 100 meters, 300 feet, nobody knows nothing. It is amazing, amazing how little we know,” Kohnen said.
SEAmagine’s Contributions to Underwater Exploration
The SEAmagine submersibles have conducted more than 13,000 dives globally since the late 90’s, and their underwater explorers are finding new things every day. “New shark species in the South Pacific, we found a new algae, we found a number of shipwrecks which you wouldn’t be able to find because you wouldn’t have known they were there,” Kohnen explained.
The Link between Historians and Treasure Hunters
SEAmagine provides the technology necessary to explore the ocean for private citizens, companies, organizations, or institutions. But every once in a while, they are the ones who find it. And when that happens, they call a local university or national research center. In the case of the San Salvador II, they called the Navy to help them retrieve the treasured artifact.
Conclusion
SEAmagine’s discovery of the San Salvador II is a testament to the importance of underwater exploration and the potential for new discoveries. Their submersibles have opened up new possibilities for historians, treasure hunters, and scientists to uncover the secrets of the ocean.
FAQs
Q: How often do SEAmagine find hidden treasures like this one?
A: SEAmagine find new things every day, and it is amazing how little we know about the ocean’s depths.
Q: What kind of technology do SEAmagine use for underwater exploration?
A: SEAmagine use transparent submarines that fit two to 10 people, allowing for private explorations, scientific work, or even tourism.
Q: How many dives have SEAmagine conducted globally?
A: SEAmagine have conducted more than 13,000 dives globally since the late 90’s.
Q: What kind of discoveries have SEAmagine made?
A: SEAmagine have found new shark species, new algae, and a number of shipwrecks that would not have been discovered otherwise.
