Post by Kelly Jessop on Jul 26, 2008 21:10:53 GMT -5
www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d87d373003000b§ionId=60
More than $10,000 of specialist cave diving equipment was stolen from Crystal Cave on Thursday night, stalling a three-month study into the unexplored submerged caverns beneath us.
Researcher Terrence Tysall and his team are now appealing to the public to return the equipment — with no questions asked. As the gear is solely for use among cave divers, it is of no use to the average scuba diver and could even do them harm.
Mr. Tysall, who is undertaking a Masters thesis into the life and ecology of Bermuda's caves, explained: "No one is going to know how to use it and it's not safe for open water diving. "If people use it outside of a cave environment, they could end up getting hurt.
"The BCDs are designed to throw you face down in the water, specifically for a cave environment, and the lights have such high intensity, they could damage your eyes if you look directly at them."
Among the stolen equipment is: three sidemount cave diving harnesses and 'Dive Rite' BCDs — two black, one blue; one 80 cubic aluminium scuba tank; two primary cave diving lights; nine back-up lights; five reels; six sidemount regulators with screw-in connectors and hoses, plus submersible pressure gauges.
Mr. Tysall said the research team has had to pay for their equipment themselves, without funding. One of his research assistants, Jenny Gautier, 21, has had to save almost $4,000.
On Thursday, the team left their gear locked up in Crystal Cave overnight, but returned in the morning to find it gone.
Mr. Tysall said: "We would just like our equipment back, no questions asked.
"If someone could just tell us where it is, we will come and pick it up. Mistakes happen — we understand that."
He added that every day the gear is missing, it puts the project further back. He is particularly keen to return home to the US on August 15 to see his wife and two-year-old son.
Mr. Tysall is one of the world's cave diving experts but is also a US Army intelligence officer who has recently returned from Iraq. "I've been away from my wife and son since May 15 and I just got back from Iraq prior to that, so every day away from my family is precious," said Mr. Tysall.
"This project is also important for Bermuda. We would like to help Bermudians appreciate these beautiful caves."
The team have been exploring the Walsingham cave system, mapping submerged tunnels and caverns never before seen by man.
They have even discovered a passage between Crystal Cave and Deep Blue — a pool in Tom Moore's jungle.
As part of Mr. Tysall's Masters thesis at Texas A&M University, he is also to test the water quality and investigate any creatures that inhabit the caves.
A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said last night: "Police are appealing for anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the missing dive equipment to contact the St. George's Criminal Investigation Unit on 293 2222."
Anyone wanting to return the equipment anonymously should contact Triangle Diving on 293 7319.
More than $10,000 of specialist cave diving equipment was stolen from Crystal Cave on Thursday night, stalling a three-month study into the unexplored submerged caverns beneath us.
Researcher Terrence Tysall and his team are now appealing to the public to return the equipment — with no questions asked. As the gear is solely for use among cave divers, it is of no use to the average scuba diver and could even do them harm.
Mr. Tysall, who is undertaking a Masters thesis into the life and ecology of Bermuda's caves, explained: "No one is going to know how to use it and it's not safe for open water diving. "If people use it outside of a cave environment, they could end up getting hurt.
"The BCDs are designed to throw you face down in the water, specifically for a cave environment, and the lights have such high intensity, they could damage your eyes if you look directly at them."
Among the stolen equipment is: three sidemount cave diving harnesses and 'Dive Rite' BCDs — two black, one blue; one 80 cubic aluminium scuba tank; two primary cave diving lights; nine back-up lights; five reels; six sidemount regulators with screw-in connectors and hoses, plus submersible pressure gauges.
Mr. Tysall said the research team has had to pay for their equipment themselves, without funding. One of his research assistants, Jenny Gautier, 21, has had to save almost $4,000.
On Thursday, the team left their gear locked up in Crystal Cave overnight, but returned in the morning to find it gone.
Mr. Tysall said: "We would just like our equipment back, no questions asked.
"If someone could just tell us where it is, we will come and pick it up. Mistakes happen — we understand that."
He added that every day the gear is missing, it puts the project further back. He is particularly keen to return home to the US on August 15 to see his wife and two-year-old son.
Mr. Tysall is one of the world's cave diving experts but is also a US Army intelligence officer who has recently returned from Iraq. "I've been away from my wife and son since May 15 and I just got back from Iraq prior to that, so every day away from my family is precious," said Mr. Tysall.
"This project is also important for Bermuda. We would like to help Bermudians appreciate these beautiful caves."
The team have been exploring the Walsingham cave system, mapping submerged tunnels and caverns never before seen by man.
They have even discovered a passage between Crystal Cave and Deep Blue — a pool in Tom Moore's jungle.
As part of Mr. Tysall's Masters thesis at Texas A&M University, he is also to test the water quality and investigate any creatures that inhabit the caves.
A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said last night: "Police are appealing for anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the missing dive equipment to contact the St. George's Criminal Investigation Unit on 293 2222."
Anyone wanting to return the equipment anonymously should contact Triangle Diving on 293 7319.