TISIRI divers encounter aircraft wreckage offshore St. Augustine Florida and begin an investigation. After several scuba diving surveys a data plate is discovered that says "Property of US." The data plate is ultimately cleaned ad more information is obtained. It is the determined that the aircraft is an A7 that crashed back in 1974. The pilot, Robert Besal, was able to eject safely and serve out a decorated navy career. The TISIRI team reached out to retired Rear Admiral Besal informing him they have found his plane. Besal made the visit to St. Augustine and the TISIRI team led him out to the are where the now reef resides.
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A Visit to The Discovery Montessori School
TISIRI's "Gee Wiz Ed" and "Scuba Joe" made a visit to the Discovery Montessori school earlier today. The Discovery students were introduced to a variety of interesting underwater critters that make the offshore waterways of North Florida their home.
Read MoreTISIRI Artist Scholarship Opportunity
TISIRI is working towards publishing a brief chldren's book and is looking for an illustrator. If you consider yourself an artist and can create animated characters, click here to learn more and apply for the scholorship.
[singlepic id=507 w=202 h=320 float=right]A children's book is being created regarding...
Read More[singlepic id=507 w=202 h=320 float=right]A children's book is being created regarding...
Jacksonville Spike Reef; Three Years Later
Kistel and Davis reported excitement having been able to revisit the reef. They reported fish everywhere including schools of tomtates and beeliners so thick in the ship that you could not see light coming through the large openings on the other side. Other fish species observed included spadefish, barracuda, gag grouper, and unfortunately lionfish. Kistel stated there was no shortage of invertebrate life as well. The hull appeared encrusted with barnacles, coralline algae, and even some stony coral. Other critters included plenty of sea urchins and even scallops.
Read MoreWant a Vintage WWII Bronze Port Hole?
How would you like an authentic bronze ship port hole? You could create a great display piece generating curiosity by all who encounter it, or simply enjoy the antique for its high value.[singlepic id=1404 w=175 h=175 float=right]This beauty is massive; with an overall diameter of 18 inches and...
Read MoreNorth Florida Lionfish Harvest Trip
In an effort to combat the invasive lionfish epidemic, TISIRI and Offshore Dive Charters continue to execute lionfish round up events. Our most recent effort included fifteen divers visiting three different reefs offshore Jacksonville Florida. The goal of the event was to capture as many lionfish as safely possible. Awards were granted to lionfish harvesters in several different categories. See picture of the harvest efforts below:
Read MoreSearch and Recover Mission
You may recall from news reports that a small aircraft disappeared off the coast of Jacksonville recently. The incident took place on September 23 and neither the plane nor the pilot have been found. Based on information obtained we feel there is a high probably of locating the aircraft if it is searched for. We are coordinating a search, and possible recovery mission, for mid to late this week. A sonar track search grid has been designed for the area we will examine with a side-scan sonar.
Read MoreCNN News Piece: TISIRI Reunites Besal With Wreckage
9-29-12CNN broadcast story of TISIRI's aircraft wreckage investigation.TISIRI encountered wreckage several weeks ago, and after several dive surveys and some research determined the wreck as an A7 military jet that crashed in 1974. Pilot Robert Besal survived the incident and recently revisited the wreck site the TISIRI...
Read MoreAn Octopus Decides To Take His Own Picture
While diving the A7 wreckage location the day we had A7 pilot Bob Besal aboard, we ran into this somewhat vain octopus. Watch as he gets into the postion he wants and then attempts to reach out and take his own pictures.Octopus are truly amazing creatures!
Read MorePilot Besal Visits A7 Jet Wreckage Reef
Today TISIRI reunited Admiral Besal with his aircraft; which is now a thriving reef ecosystem. Two vessels captained by Steve Blalock and Jack Leone escorted the TISIRI team, media crews, and Robert and Jennie (Robert's wife) to the wreckage aka reef location 20 miles offshore St. Augustine. The vessels were precisely positioned over the wreckage. Dive teams explored the A7 reef to capture imagery to show Robert Besal back aboard. See pictures of the days events and underwater findings below:
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