Take a look at the Miami Herald newspaper article about our activities with South Broward High School
The Urca de Lima Monitoring Project
On May 19, FPAN East Central and FPAN Southeast held a public presentation which included discussions of the Spanish Maritime history in
The next day, on May 20, we conducted an actual side-scan survey of the Urca de Lima Underwater Archaeological Preserve. The Department of Environmental Protection graciously donated boat use and the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program donated the use of their new side-scan unit to conduct this survey to relocate portions of the wreck. In the 21 years that the Urca has been a Preserve, no such technology has been applied archaeologically to this submerged cultural resource. The site no longer has any marker or mooring buoy and this assisted us in directing public divers within and around the site. The survey provided an opportunity for the public to see new technology in action as it was being applied to solve real world archaeological concerns. The side-scan survey also provided an excellent means to create a baseline record that the state DHR/BAR can use to continue the monitoring of this site. There were over 40 people (public) on shore who observed the Urca de Lima side-scan sonar survey. There were also numerous people who observed from their condo units on shore (a very bizarre form of South Florida Public Archaeology).
After the side-scan sonar survey, the public divers entered the water to dive on the preserve and to conduct underwater monitoring activities. In all we had 35 SCUBA divers and 3 snorkelers diving on the Urca de Lima Underwater Archaeological Preserve. It truly was a sight to see! There were divers everywhere. Deb Shefi from the State BAR was there to obtain video and pictures of the site, and of the public divers. She said she thought this was the largest number of people ever to dive on an Underwater Archaeological Preserve at one time.
We also had numerous land volunteers who were not divers, and visitors who came to see what we were doing because they had either read a newspaper article about the event or because they lived in the condos nearby and were curious about what was going on. Two divers even finished their Open Water diver certifications at the Urca.
What we saw... The site was more exposed than previously thought. The anchor was completely visible, portions of the hull were exposed, several of the cannons were exposed, and the plaque was visible. There was quite a bit if marine life including, Angel Fish, Snappers, Grunts, Blenneys, and even a Bull Shark. Although there was a delay because of the boat and the weather, most divers got in at least one dive on the Urca de Lima. Pictures of the event can be seen in our photo album on the “Photo Gallery” page of this website.
Special thanks go out to Captain Don and the DEP boat crew Eric and Melissa for your dedication to the side-scan sonar survey and protecting divers in the water. Thanks to the DEP divers Cynthia Lott, Melinda Kohlmyer, Michael Evans, Christopher Ashworth, Jerilyn Krug, Dan Moretz & Benny Leudike for being so organized and conducting the biological monitoring. Another special thanks to the visitors from other counties and states (Matt DeFelice and Chris McCabe). More special thanks to the LAMP staff and volunteers
And of course a HUGE thanks to all of our public divers. Let’s all extend a hearty CONGRATULATIONS to our newest members of the dive community – Christy and Sara – for completing your Open Water Diver certification!
