The Deep C Pilot
Mike Caplehorn learnt to pilot his first submersible in 2004. This was “Nemo” a second generation Seamagine 2 man submersible with a depth rating of 300 ft. Piloting Nemo launched from its mother ship “Maniki III” he dived off Rottnest Island 14nm West of Perth, later dives concentrated on the “Deep Water Ship Graveyard” some 15nm West of Rottnest.
With the help of the WA Maritime Museum numerous wrecks ranging from Coastal Traders to War Ships and Sailing Barks were identified. Mike, Maniki and Nemo then sailed to work in the waters near Albany in the South of WA. Following dives on known wrecks Maniki and Nemo then searched and found two wrecks whose locations had previously been undetermined.
Follow these successes, Mike, Maniki and Nemo went North to search for the Koombana; a Coastal Passenger and Freighter that was lost with all hands north of Port Hedland. The loss of all 137 souls in 1912 makes it Australia’s worst civilian maritime disaster. Despite the 1,600 km grid using a towed magnetometer the wreck was not located and the search was abandoned.
While in the North West, Mike and Nemo dived on the Rowley Shoals some 300 kms west of Broome. On the south side of Mermaid Island they discovered a thermal plume at a depth of 200ft. Mike then carried out numerous dives on the South West coast of W.A. All of this makes him one of the most experienced pilots of Seamagine two person submersibles in the world.
This new submersible, Deep-C is rated to 1,100ft and has forward facing and bottom scanning Sonar, on board GPS signalled through C-Quest. Deep-C is unique in that it has a Remote Operated Vehicle ROV carried on its back with a HD camera cutting and grabbing capabilities.
Mike is going to the USA in April 2010 for his endorsement to pilot this new generation submersible. Neither Mike nor Deep-C are on board for the Kimberley cruises as the tidal currents and turbidity are unsuitable for safe submersible operations.