Until just recently, an underwater treasure hunt has been a comparatively low-tech pursuit involving SCUBA divers with big flash-lights and metal detectors poking around in shipwrecks hunting for what might have been left behind. Even as GPS technology has gotten more advanced, no one has found the way to directly allow normal satellite signals to penetrate water, and thus even a thin layer of water between a GPS receiver and the sky renders such a device useless.
Recently, nonetheless, specialists in GPS and satellite technology have been developing new tactics for a GPS receiver to be used during an underwater treasure hunt. For instance, firms have started producing GPS receivers that can convert satellite signals into SONAR. By buoying such a device on the surface or floating it next to the dive boat, the receiver can broadcast position data via SONAR to a diver with a compatible gizmo. A digital display on the device then lays the GPS data over a ready loaded map of the sea floor so that the diver knows just where he is at on his treasure hunt.
Presently, such devices are extremely high-priced, and even a diver who has the money will face certain obstacles, eg a small range of transmission between the floating receiver and the submerged handheld, as well as the need for a generally clear line of sight, as a big barrier like a rock or ship will breakup a SONAR signal. Like with any newly emerging technology, the ability of these devices will likely increase consistently over time â" hopefully with a concurring decrease in price as they get more everyday.
An underwater treasure hunt can still make use of a GPS unit in a more limited fashion without taking the device underwater. Divers can find the GPS coordinates of known shipwrecks or submerged treasure on the internet and use their GPS devices to navigate to areas of interest. At this point it's simply a matter of dropping anchor and diving in. For many divers, the increased level of difficulty connected with this type of treasure hunt offers a challenge more gratifying than a submersible GPS rig-up would.
Studying maps of the seafloor before a treasure hunt is advocated. Such action can increase a diver's chances of finding something valuable and, if nothing else, scale back the possibility of encountering astonishing difficulties or hazards. Submersible hand-held display devices preloaded with digital maps can be used to get rid of the need to depend on one's memory all together.
Whatever method of underwater treasure hunt a diver means to use, there are some basic safety concerns to which he should adhere. No diver should ever attempt an underwater treasure hunt alone or without proper SCUBA confirmation. All equipment being used on the dive should be rated for depths beyond those predicted in the diver's previous research of the area. This includes watches, oxygen supply, metal detectors and all the other submersible devices. The local Coast Guard post or harbour authority should be aware of any underwater expedition and the dive vessel should be outfitted with dependable means to get in touch with them in the event of an emergency.
Recently, nonetheless, specialists in GPS and satellite technology have been developing new tactics for a GPS receiver to be used during an underwater treasure hunt. For instance, firms have started producing GPS receivers that can convert satellite signals into SONAR. By buoying such a device on the surface or floating it next to the dive boat, the receiver can broadcast position data via SONAR to a diver with a compatible gizmo. A digital display on the device then lays the GPS data over a ready loaded map of the sea floor so that the diver knows just where he is at on his treasure hunt.
Presently, such devices are extremely high-priced, and even a diver who has the money will face certain obstacles, eg a small range of transmission between the floating receiver and the submerged handheld, as well as the need for a generally clear line of sight, as a big barrier like a rock or ship will breakup a SONAR signal. Like with any newly emerging technology, the ability of these devices will likely increase consistently over time â" hopefully with a concurring decrease in price as they get more everyday.
An underwater treasure hunt can still make use of a GPS unit in a more limited fashion without taking the device underwater. Divers can find the GPS coordinates of known shipwrecks or submerged treasure on the internet and use their GPS devices to navigate to areas of interest. At this point it's simply a matter of dropping anchor and diving in. For many divers, the increased level of difficulty connected with this type of treasure hunt offers a challenge more gratifying than a submersible GPS rig-up would.
Studying maps of the seafloor before a treasure hunt is advocated. Such action can increase a diver's chances of finding something valuable and, if nothing else, scale back the possibility of encountering astonishing difficulties or hazards. Submersible hand-held display devices preloaded with digital maps can be used to get rid of the need to depend on one's memory all together.
Whatever method of underwater treasure hunt a diver means to use, there are some basic safety concerns to which he should adhere. No diver should ever attempt an underwater treasure hunt alone or without proper SCUBA confirmation. All equipment being used on the dive should be rated for depths beyond those predicted in the diver's previous research of the area. This includes watches, oxygen supply, metal detectors and all the other submersible devices. The local Coast Guard post or harbour authority should be aware of any underwater expedition and the dive vessel should be outfitted with dependable means to get in touch with them in the event of an emergency.
About the Author:
Tom
one of the primary contributors to the base data, as well
as, to the progress and advancement
of Satellite Treasure
Map Info overlaid on Google
Maps. Tom has accumulated this info
through many years of seeking out obscure
truths thru many diverse
sources.
one of the primary contributors to the base data, as well
as, to the progress and advancement
of Satellite Treasure
Map Info overlaid on Google
Maps. Tom has accumulated this info
through many years of seeking out obscure
truths thru many diverse
sources.