Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Interesting item on eBay web site item#2180264354: Titanic - Deep Sea Dive Expedition 2003

[Ray Keefer <Ray.Keefer@Sun.COM>]

Hey Carl,

Pony up the cash and I'll be happy to send you pictures.

Regards,
Ray

> Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2003 14:18:09 -0600
> From: Coalbunny <coalbunny@vcn.com>
> X-Accept-Language: en
> To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Interesting item on eBay web site 
item#2180264354:  Titanic - Deep Sea Dive Expedition 2003
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
> X-MIME-Autoconverted: from quoted-printable to 8bit by whoweb.com id QAA05526
> 
> I was under the impression that Ray and Carsten were gonna treat the
> entire bunch of us to that.  I see I was mistaken.  <grin>
> Carl
> 
> 
> asmyth@changepoint.com wrote:
> > 
> > Now here's an unusual sub-related item. A bit beyond my budget I'm afraid!
> > 
> > Alec
> > 
> > Title of item:  Titanic - Deep Sea Dive Expedition 2003
> > Seller: oceanusiyc
> > Starts: Jun-19-03 21:00:00 PDT
> > Ends:   Jun-26-03 21:00:00 PDT
> > Price:  Starts at $25,500.00
> > To bid on the item, go to:      
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2180264354
> > 
> > Item Description:
> >         Oceanus International Yacht Club is auctioning a trip for one person 
to dive to the Titanic wreck, the most famous shipwreck in the world.  The 
regular price including one dive to the Titanic wreck is $ 35,950 per Person.
> > 
> >  Expedition-Dates:
> > July 2nd to July 13th, 2003
> > 
> >  Bidding policy:
> > By placing a bid in this auction the bidder agrees to the terms and 
conditions of this trip as stated below.
> > 
> >  The RMS Titanic was the brainchild of the famous White Star Line, which 
specialized in luxury passenger vessels, and Harland & Wolff, the Irish shipyard 
which designed and built her.
> > 
> > One-sixth of a mile long, Titanic was not only the largest moving object 
ever built by man, she was also the most opulent. More than 14,000 laborers and 
craftsmen poured their hearts and souls into her design, construction and 
appointment, toiling on her for four long years. So mighty was Titanic, with her 
sheer size and cutting-edge watertight features, she was promptly touted as 
“unsinkable.”
> > 
> > 
> > That epithet proved particularly ironic the night of April 14, 1912, when 
Titanic, just days into her maiden transatlantic crossing, struck an iceberg and 
immediately began to take on water. Within a few short hours, the greatest ship 
in the world had come to rest on the bottom of the ocean, taking with her the 
lives of more than 1,500 people. The mystique surrounding the Titanic disaster 
has diminished little over
> >  time. Each generation has held the memory close, preserving it in books, 
music and movies.
> > 
> > Today, the story stands as modern myth: a luxurious dream ship brimming with 
the Gilded Age’s celebrities and its steerage class; a technological wonder so 
sophisticated, so sound, as to be deemed invulnerable.
> > 
> > Add to that the tragic elements of human error and the inexorable power of 
Nature and the tale of Titanic, with its myriad stories of heartbreak and 
heroism, becomes a poignant chapter in humanity’s collective history. Now you 
can behold that history.
> > 
> >  Expedition Itineray:
> > You will journey to the Titanic aboard the MIR I and II submersibles, 
deep-dive vessels capable of reaching ocean depths of 20,000 feet. Housed aboard 
the mother ship Akademik Keldysh, the two MIR submersibles are part of a group 
of only four deep-diving vessels available to the world's scientific community. 
Constructed of special nickel steel, they are specifically designed to withstand 
the enormous pressures that exist in the depths of the oceans.  Air pressure 
inside the habitat remains at a constant one atmosphere; the air is recycled in 
a manner similar to that used onboard spacecraft. During the dive, there will be 
a drop in temperature (to approximately 54F or 12C) and some slight internal 
condensation.
> > 
> >  Trip Overview:
> > 
> >  Day 1 / 2nd July:
> > Arrive St Johns, Newfoundland. Orientation briefing. Overnight in a St Johns 
hotel
> >  Day 2 / 3rd July:
> > Check out of your St Johns hotel for a short flight to the french island of 
St Pierre. Spend several hours wandering this quaint township then board Keldysh 
for a mid-afternoon departure for the titanic wreck site
> >  Day 3 / 4th July:
> > En route the Titanic wreck site 380 miles South East of Newfoundland
> >  Days 4-9 : 5th - 10th July:
> > On site above the Titanic wreck. Diving and on board activities will 
continue during this period. As submersible diving weather is never guaranteed 
extra days are allocated on site to ensure everybody gets their MIR dive
> >  Day 10 : 11th July:
> > The final scheduled Titanic dive day. Keldysh will depart the Titanic site 
bound for St Johns, later today.
> >  Day 11 : 12th July:
> > En route St Johns Newfoundland. A farewell barbeque will be held with the 
complete ships complement
> >  Day 12 : 13th July:
> > Morning arrival St Johns, Newfoundland. Disembarkation and flights 
homewards.
> > Itinerary subject to change.
> > 
> >  Down Into the Deep
> > Following a final briefing, you'll enter the submersible, then the Keldysh's 
on-board crane will lift you and the MIRs into the Atlantic's chilly waters. 
After pre-dive testing, ballast water will be pumped into the tanks and your 
adventure into the deep will begin. Three Plexiglas portholes, each 7 inches 
thick, will be your window to this undersea world. By 1,000 feet, all traces of 
sunlight will be gone and you will be immersed in total darkness. To conserve 
power, the MIR submersibles run without external lights, however, the pilot will 
occasionally switch on the lights to observe passing marine life. Some marine 
life require no viewing lights; be sure to look for these tiny bioluminescent 
creatures as you descend. By 4,000 feet, the interior of the MIR will start to 
cool and you may want to don your extra clothing. Topside, the Keldysh (never 
out of voice contact) will help navigate the MIR to the wreck site.Your 
deep-dive observations will provide valuable data for t!
>  he!
> !
> >  Keldysh's research scientists.
> > 
> >  Observing the Titanic
> > As you reach your destination, the MIR's large halogen-mercury-iodine lights 
will unveil to you the remains of the R.M.S. Titanic. The ship is in two 
distinct sections: the demolished stern and the bow, separated by nearly 2,000 
feet. The MIRs will spend 2-3 hours exploring the wreckage as well as the 
surrounding debris field. An outside still and video camera will record your 
experience; an 8mm video inside the MIR will chronicle the expedition's 
operations as well as your reactions. Upon completion of the mission, ballast 
water will be pumped out and the MIR will begin its ascent. Once you return to 
the surface, the MIR will be lifted back on board the Keldysh and you will be 
treated to a hot Russian sauna followed by a debriefing.
> > 
> >  The Akademik Keldysh
> > The Akademik Keldysh is the best deep-diving support vessel in the world. 
Owned and operated by the Moscow-based P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, 
its crew of scientists and technicians has worked together for 15 years, 
participating in deep-dive expeditions all over the world. In addition to its 17 
laboratories, the Keldysh features a specialized library  covering underwater 
archaeology, oceanography, and deep-sea exploration and sauna. Your quarters 
aboard the Keldysh, while not lavish, will be comfortable and spacious. Meals 
will be first-class, prepared by a European chef and highlighted by the 
occasional Russian specialty. Satellite communications equipment will be 
available for contact with those at home.
> > 
> >  Terms and Conditions
> > All companies and personnel involved in this operation strongly believe that 
the integrity of the Titanic wreck and the surrounding debris field should be 
respected both as a historic site as well as a grave site. No salvaging will 
occur during this scientific expedition, nor will the MIR dives include use of 
any ROVs (remote operated vehicles) or any other device designed to enter or 
penetrate the wreckage in any way. Nothing will be taken, save photographs, 
videos and memories.
> > 
> >  Cancellation Policy:  Notification of passenger cancellation must be 
received in writing by the booking agent. There is no refund due to client 
cancellation.These fees are due regardless of resale. These fees cannot be 
applied to future reservations. Therefore we strongly recommend purchasing trip 
cancellation insurance.
> > 
> >  Share Policy:  Divers are entitled to a single occupancy cabin until the 
single room capacity is exhausted. After which, each diver will be assigned a 
roommate. All non-divers will be assigned shared rooms. Cabins will be assigned 
according to their place on the confirmed booking list (determined by deposit 
date). Cabins may have private and shared bathrooms. When pairing roommates, we 
will always pair participants of the same sex, and make every effort to 
accommodate smokers with other smokers. However, if it is necessary to pair a 
smoker with a non-smoker, overnight accommodation will be designated as 
non-smoking for both participants.
> > 
> >  Medical Information:  Operation Titanic is intended for persons in 
generally good health and without physical disabilities which would create a 
hazard either for the passenger or other passengers. By placing an initial 
deposit, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other 
condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other 
passengers.  All participants are required to complete a medical release form.  
Passengers prone to claustrophobia are strongly advised to follow their 
physician's advice. The booking agent or the tour leader reserves the right to 
disqualify any participant at any time during the program should the person's 
health impede the operation of the program. There will be no refund given under 
these circumstances. It is essential that participants with any dietary 
restrictions make them known to us well before departure.
> > 
> >  Itinerary Changes & Trip Delay:  The booking agent reserves the right to 
change a program's dates, itinerary, leaders, or accommodations as conditions 
warrant. If a trip must be delayed, or the itinerary changed or extended due to 
weather conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, or other 
contingencies over which the company has no control and its agents cannot make 
provision, the cost of delays or changes is not included, and will be charged to 
the participant at cost. Due to the uniqueness of this program and flight 
availability, departure dates are subject to change.
> > 
> >  Itinerary Cancellation:  The booking agent reserves the right to cancel an 
itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including logistical 
problems such as strikes, wars, acts of God, or any other circumstances which 
may make operation of the trip inadvisable. If the itinerary cannot be 
rescheduled by the company, all trip payments received will be refunded, and 
this refund will be the limit of the company's liability. We are not responsible 
for any expenses incurred by participants in preparing for the trip, including 
non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, passport 
or visa fees or other trip-related expenses.
> > 
> >  Participation:  The booking agent reserves the right to decline acceptance 
of any individual as a trip participant for any reason whatsoever.
> > 
> >  Passport & Visa Requirements:  Participants are responsible for securing 
proper documentation and vaccination certificate for entry into Canada.
> > 
> >  Limitations of Liability:  The booking agent, its owners, agents and 
employees give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, 
contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or all other 
related travel services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for 
injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service 
resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses 
arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, force majeure, failure of any means of 
conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, government restrictions or 
regulations and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which 
it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed 
advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers. Certain operators 
require the use of pre-printed ticket forms which limit operator's liability. 
When such tickets are used, you are generally bound by the terms of these!
>   t!
> !
> > ickets with respect to their legal relationship to those operators, their 
agents and the operator¹s crew.
> > 
> >  All participants are required to complete and sign a reservation form and a 
release form. On advancement of deposit, the depositor acknowledges that he/she 
has read and understands the above recited terms and conditions, and agrees to 
be bound by them.
> > 
> >  What's Included:  Seat on MIR submersible for scientific expedition tour of 
the RMS Titanic wreck; accommodations aboard the Akademik Keldysh; one night 
accommodation in St. John´s;  orientation meeting; three meals daily (starting 
with breakfast on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on final day); activities 
within the program: lectures, briefings, slide/film shows; baggage handling, 
amenities/gifts, personal video.
> > 
> >  Not Included:  Air transportation to/from St. John's; transfers to/from 
airport; airport arrival and departure taxes; excess baggage charges; personal 
items such as laundry, bar charges, gratuities to service staff, 
telephone/fax/cable charges, travel insurance; passport & visa fees; pre or 
post-voyage arrangements.
> > 
> > Further Information:
> > www.oceanusiyc.de
> >  www.deepoceanexpeditions.com
> > 
> >  Payment:
> > After auctions end per bank-wire transfer with tra
> > 
> >         Visit eBay, The World's Online Marketplace TM at http://www.ebay.com
> 
> -- 
> "Indeed, desire is the seed of thought, the prime force that activates
> the mechanism of the mind." -- Kama Sutra