Our trip to Costa Rica started bright and early. Since our flights departed around 6:00 am, everybody had an early morning in order to arrive at the airport in time to check bags and go through security. The group left from three different cities: New Bern, Washington D.C., and Raleigh, but we planned it so … Read more
In preparation for field school, the class visited Greenville’s Town Commons to practice recording cannon using the Nautical Archaeology Society’s (NAS) proforma. Various measurements and details were recorded of our city’s “Old Brickell Cannon”. This provided an ideal practice ground because students were able to get comfortable with the recording process without the added challenges … Read more
In preparation for the Costa Rica summer field school, students, crew chiefs, and faculty met in Eller every day during the week prior to departure. The first day we were handed a lot of archaeological equipment. Each participant is required to carry some gear in order for the field school to accomplish its goals during the … Read more
I have been fortunate enough to be involved in several ECU projects. This year, I am a crew chief. The position is offered to select second and third year graduate students to give us a leadership opportunity and the chance to act as mentors to the new class. Crew chiefs have the interesting dilemma of … Read more
Scientific diving is one of the major components of preparing for field school. Besides packing, making sure you have enough of the essential sun screen, and coordinating travel arrangements, we have to complete checkout dives. The dives consist of five days in a controlled environment (a nearby quarry—Fantasy Lake), with two days in the ocean … Read more
http://youtu.be/y0IXqexFdh8 Here are clips taken during two days of Nitrox dives on the Indra. Located off the coast of North Carolina, USS Indra was a landing craft repair ship sunk in 1996 after it was decommissioned from the Navy. The site is 60 feet deep at its maximum and visibility varies. These dives gave us the opportunity … Read more
Well, I am now a certified Scientific Diver! This video is my first experience with a GoPro and with underwater videography. It was filmed during our Scientific Diving check-outs with East Carolina University Diving and Water Safety, required for the ECU Program in Maritime Studies. We went diving for a week at Fantasy Lake, a flooded rock quarry in … Read more
My preparation for Costa Rica has not been challenging compared to the maze of red tape I faced to study as an international student. Coming from Canada, I was required to have all my documents and immunizations in order attend ECU. I think the biggest challenge I face in getting ready to go to Costa … Read more