Curacao Diving Paradise Your most enjoyable underwater experience

This is done in a special way. Normally on Sunday morning Theo van der Giesen with volunteer divers do their cleaning and archeological work on the wreck. This time also the supervising archeologist Dr. Wil Nagelkerken was invited to join the divers in the water.

To his surprise a treasure-chest was found in the most forward hold. The treasure-chest was brought to the surface where in the meantime representatives of the sponsors were arrived. The chest was opened and in it two large gold ducats were found representing the gift from each of the two companies.
Stimana needs donations like these to continue its important work. Organizations or private individuals that want to support Stimana are invited to contact mister Gerd Glaudemans at telephone number (+599 9) 462-1200 (BDO Accountants).

Through this dive I came in contact with Stimana. I work at Fatum and was invited to participate in the activity. Since then I am one of the volunteers who on Sunday morning work on the wreck to clean it.

• Dr. Will Nagelkerken discovers the treasure chest close to the bow of the wreck in the forward hold Dr. Will Nagelkerken discovers the treasure chest close to the bow of the wreck in the forward hold
• After removing the chest from the hold it needs to be brought to the surface. That takes some good coordination under water to connect a lifting balloon to the chest. After removing the chest from the hold it needs to be brought to the surface. That takes some good coordination under water to connect a lifting balloon to the chest.
• Lifting the treasure Lifting the treasure
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• A controlled ascent to the surface is not easy when the chest is pulling you upward A controlled ascent to the surface is not easy when the chest is pulling you upward
• The chest is floating at the surface. Wil Nagelkerken is holding it. Now it needs to be pulled out of the water on to the quay. The chest is floating at the surface. Wil Nagelkerken is holding it. Now it needs to be pulled out of the water on to the quay.
• Diving is fun, finding a treasure chest is even better. Theo van der Giesen (left) and Wil Nagelkerken are visibly having fun and are probably wondering what the chest contains. Diving is fun, finding a treasure chest is even better. Theo van der Giesen (left) and Wil Nagelkerken are visibly having fun and are probably wondering what the chest contains.
• Members of Stimana and representatives of the two sponsoring organizations together around the chest with the content clearly visible. Members of Stimana and representatives of the two sponsoring organizations together around the chest with the content clearly visible.
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