Remote Sensing Survey begins

off the coast of Ecuador

On February 12th, 2005 RS Operations, LLC working in cooperation with Estudios Cientificos del Mar and the Government of Ecuador began preliminary exploration of the Esmeraldas concession. The focus of this phase of the exploration was depth profiling and 3 dimensional modeling of several rocky formations that protrude from the ocean bottom.

Lying approximately 10 miles off the coast, these rocky formations rise from the ocean bottom to within 10-15 feet of the ocean surface. Each formation is a trap that would tear open the hull of any ship that was unlucky enough sail into it.

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The particular formation pictured above is approximately 1000 feet in diameter and contains peaks that come within 12 feet of the ocean's surface. Preliminary magnetometer surveys around one of the formations indicated a broad area of magnetic anomalies.

Dives on some of the anomalies indicated a wide scattering of modern wreckage in the immediate vicinity.

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Accurate study of these formations has provided our survey team with reference points for beginning the magnetometer and side scan sonar surveys. The next stage in our survey plan will be to coordinate a detailed remote sensing survey of the areas where ships are believed, due to historical references, to have sunk as a result of running into one of these obstructions.

In the near future the RSOPS website will be updated with additional information and photos concerning the latest field investigations.