Why is it that the same divers always seem to find all kinds of nice treasures: bottles, china, pieces of old silverware, and other little odds and ends? It could be that luck is involved, but it is much more likely that these divers are using some basic tricks for finding underwater artifacts. Whether you are interested in legally salvaging artifacts from abandoned wreck or simply finding interesting objects to view and photograph for the fun of it, you’ll find these tips helpful.
Know Your Dive Sites
Know what the bottom substrate looks like and train your eyes to watch for little anomalies. Bottom features vary from one site to the next, and taking lots of dives at the sites you’re searching will help you to become familiar with natural features so you will be able to spot foreign objects with ease.
Look for Shapes that Don’t Belong
Look for shapes that don’t match the rest of the area you’re diving in. Familiarize yourself with manmade shapes – straight lines, perfect circles, and squared corners are some that don’t often occur in nature. You might notice a patch of sand that suggests that shapes like these might be underneath; carefully fan the sand away and see whether your instincts are correct. The more you find, the easier it will be to find more things in the future.
Look in Unexpected Places
Remember that sites frequented by sports divers are often picked over. At the same time, recognize that many divers follow the same profile when diving a certain wreck, and that hidden treasures could be just a short distance off the beaten path. An understanding of local currents will help you here, as will insight into the trajectory the vessel traveled along while sinking. Scattered debris might be buried under sand or mud, and items could be lodged between rocks. Spend some time looking around instead of just focusing on the wreck itself, and you could come up with some pretty amazing items.
Get an Underwater Metal Detector
Finally, consider taking your passion for finding underwater treasures to the next level. If you’re serious about finding artifacts for fun or for profit, one of the best things you can do is to invest in an underwater metal detector. Be sure that you learn how to use it before taking it down to the bottom with you, and ensure that your dive buddy is ready, willing, and able to watch over you while you are using your metal detector. Don’t just focus on antiquities when metal detecting, try your hand at scanning popular swimming and boating areas where diving is allowed. Many divers find valuables this way.
No matter which methods you use to find lost underwater treasures, keep your search as well as any recovery efforts legal. In many places, you may look for items but they must be left in place; in some areas, it’s illegal to dive with a metal detector. Knowing the laws in the areas where you plan to hunt for treasure will keep you from suffering the consequences, which might arrive in the form of fines, jail time, and confiscated equipment. Last but not least, remember that the more you dive, the greater your odds of finding and photographing or recovering sunken artifacts. Keep your eyes open! You never know what you’ll find.