This may be the worst kept secret in the
group, but I wanted to let everyone know that my deal is done and I have
acquired the Nekton Gamma submersible. Just got back to Florida from a gonzo
run to the Gulf Coast with my brother Nick to load a truck with goodies and
bring the sub home. Gamma has been dismantled and in storage for 9 years. There
is rust damage to the main ballast tanks, but otherwise she seems in good
shape. I intend to keep you up to date through the psubs web page as we get her
repaired and running again. With photos, of course.
The Nekton family (Submaray, Nekton
Alpha, the twins Beta and Gamma and, of course, Delta), have collectively made
over 12,000 dives through their 40+ years of their existence. They are simple,
rugged and reliable. In a very real sense, they were psubs before the phrase
was coined--but not psubs of the garage queen variety. These little vehicles
were built to work, and work they did. And still do. How things were done, and
why, should provide a wealth of information and aha moments for all of us.
Several of our members have already
offered to lend a hand getting Gamma ready to hit the water again. You know who
you are, guys, and I want to thank you. The rest of you are welcome to ask any
questions you like. Meanwhile, I will be tracking back through operator/owners
from the past for more data. Additionally, I would very much like to locate the
Alpha and Beta. If you know anything about them (where they are, what they are
doing, who owns them currently, etc.) and feel like sharing, please contact me
(off-site or on).
So, what's first, you ask? Sorting all
those boxes, of course.