Sunday, January 27, 2008

XV. Aruba

Update: Thurs 31-Jan 1330 hrs
The Persistence is currently working in the same general area as the last several days. Winds 25 kts with 6-10ft side seas. More later

Thurs 31-Jan 1040 hrs
The last several days saw outstanding progress in what was expected to be the roughest part of the search area. Last night, we learned why the local fishermen nicknamed this area “don’t go there”. The seas were a rather innocuous 2-3ft with pleasant 10kt breeze. Within an hour, the seas exploded into a 12-14ft torrent with 35kt sustained winds. After a few hours battling side seas the search team brought the sonar on deck amidst crashing waves of green water pouring over the back deck. We found an approximately 265ft long wreck lying upright on the seabed which is an eerie testament of this area’s volatile ferocity.
Slant range corrected side scan sonar image of a large wreck


3D Fly through of NW Aruba and the offshore bathymetry


Tues 29-Jan 1610 hrs

The Persistence left the dock at 0645 hrs this morning returning to survey what has been the roughest portion of the search area. The seas here are reliably 8-12 ft due to convergent water masses, strong stratified shearing currents, and opposing trade winds. Local fishermen have a name for it which roughly translates to "don't go there". For the last couple days we have been working in the heart of "don't go there" in atypically calm 2-3 ft swells. We have never seen it this calm out here. The timing couldn't be better. More later



Sun 27-Jan 2355 hrs
The Persistence left the dock this morning at 0740 hrs. The 15kt winds out of the east lapped up rather tranquil 2-3ft seas. It's as calm as we've ever seen it offshore here. The Aruba Coast Guard boarded the Persistence for a friendly visit at 0810 hrs this morning. For an hour we shared coffee, traded T-shirts, swapped stories, and showed them our progress. They were extremely impressed by the side scan sonar capabilities and 3-D bathymetric imagery. After a round of hearty hand shakes and a few good pictures, they boarded their approximately 30ft long rigid-hull inflatable boat and pushed off from the Persistence. With a smile they shouted to us, “Would you like a little demonstration?” At once, the Coast Guard took off with a sudden blast from two massive inboard engines. In no time the nimble boat was leaping wave to wave at nearly 40kts. Several times the boat came clear out of the water. It was thrilling not only to watch the playful demonstration, but to watch the trust build and friendships form.



Working with the Aruba police dive division, Coast Guard, and Port Authority has been an astonishing experience. Since December 15th we've established a solid working relationship based on openness and trust. Most of the successful rapport was due to getting the media hype out of the way and working together shoulder to shoulder through time. We've helped each other however and whenever we can. They've treated us with decency and respect and we have treated them as friends and allies, which they are. I wish we had a month ahead of the project just to ascertain the relationships and bonds. Although highly skeptical and suspecting in the beginning, it's clear we're all carefully and diligently working towards a common goal. It seems we share the same attitudes of integrity, courage, dedication, and hope. We’ve all struck an accord in the desire for closure and healing for the families involved and restoring the relationship between our beloved countries.




RV Persistence - Courtesy visit from the Aruba Coast Guard 27-Jan 0940 hrs


38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you to the Persistence families. We know you've given up a lot for your loved ones to be spending these days and months searching for Natalee. You need to know we appreciate you too.

Katablog

Anonymous said...

kyle, what's that video about? thanks.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for that video. Is that a really small boat? How far out? What kind of construction? It looks to my uneducated eye like a heavy duty inflated kind.

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I am not sure I am crazy about the Arubans "helping" out in any capacity after the way they botched this case in rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 infinity! Sorry.....

Anonymous said...

Thank you for all the help the Aruban people have contributed. It means a lot.

Anonymous said...

Oh man, I love you guys.....

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh! Awesome fast boat!!! Did you get to go for a ride?

Anonymous said...

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer! I don't trust them for as far as I can throw their fancy boat. Sorry!

Many Americans are hurting over this case. Lately, they have turned their attention to investigating Natalee and her parents. They have resorted to terrible lies about Jug Twitty.

Simply unacceptable behavior by Aruba and where are the "friendly" Arubans crying foul over the treatment of Natalee, Beth, Dave and Jug?

Anonymous said...

This has been an incredible read. I do hope you publish this in it's entirety someday.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with some of the bloggers as far as trusting the Arubans! They probably know where Natalee is and want to be there in case she is found by the Persistance. I'll be waiting to hear something of substance,,, not
the friendliness of the Arubans. I
don't trust them either,,,,,sorry.

Anonymous said...

Because mistakes were made does not make the Arubans bad people!! The crew of the Persistence has well found this out. Keep up the good work and ignore the ignorant comments.

Anonymous said...

Kyle is one of the best judges of character, he is usually spot on. If he trusts the Aruban, then so do I.
G

Unknown said...

Just find Natalee I don't need to trust Aruba they have proven not to be found trustworty. Trust is earned not given.

Anonymous said...

Nice to read about the Aruban Port Authority Coast Guard and Dive teams..Probably fine examples of the good Aruban people..I hope this joint effort brings Natalee home and soon..Shame the Aruban Govt is so corrupt as it gives everyone a bad name in Aruba.I can't wait to see how you guys make out on your next dives on the targets! God Speed Persistence!

Anonymous said...

Kyle,
I'm glad to hear God has calmed the treacherous ('don't go there') seas to help you on this mission of love.
Lori

Anonymous said...

Kyle and Persistence Crew,
Thanks for the update, we're experiencing 40mph winds here in Texas today and I have thought of you often. I was so relieved to hear that you have had the unusually calm seas the past couple days, such a blessing from God! You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you!

Anonymous said...

Hey guys! Just wanted to show some love to all of you out there. Thank you for your time and effort. A special thank you to John for all you have done.
~Love your Louisiana Family~

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the updates. I can't help but to feel that perhaps the Aruban Police have their own agendas and they will stop at anything to make sure you don't find anything. Please becareful. I do hope you find some results down there. Much hope.

Anonymous said...

What a facinating 3D video! I'm amazed at the ground you have covered! Looking forward to hearing more. I look up the blog daily for updates.
God Bless you all! Stay safe!

Anonymous said...

The Holloway family has suffered for so long. I hope you will be able to bring Natalee home and allow some closure and a proper burial for this precious girl. Good Luck and God Bless.

Anonymous said...

The song you chose and the path of the fly-by made me feel that you had found her, but since you couldn't state it legally, you used the images to tell your story. I hope that's true. Even if it's not, I enjoyed the video. You're doing a wonderful thing.

Anonymous said...

thank you for the continued images and stories of your search. Please be safe.

I hope the seas calm down again so you can resume your search of the rough area!

Keep up the great work! I have a good feeling about your chances of success.

Anonymous said...

Very cool video Kyle. Keep up the good work Persistence team. Hugs to the families that patiently await your return.

Fran said...

I think you guys are the "miracle" people have commented on. I hope and pray it will be worth it for all of you out there and for Natalee's family.

I do have a question though. When you discuss making progress, what exactly does that mean? Are you seeing things that need further attention??

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I'am Janneke from Holland. Here is the BREAKING NEWS that the murder on Natalee is solved...!!
Big news en Natalees mom is here in Holland en heerd the news this afternoon from a policeman....

this is real!

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I'am janneke from holland. Here is the BREAKING NEWS that the murder on natalee is solved. The mother of natalee is here in holland and they told her this afternoon who killed here daughter en where her daughter is...

this is real!

Olivier de Vries said...

Here is a an english blog post about the breaking news; http://equivocationnation.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Did they find her? Is the breaking new real?

Anonymous said...

Natalee is the most beautiful, attractive, adorable, captivating, and stunning young woman I have ever seen. I hope and pray her beautiful body is returned to her family alive. God bless you for your work to bring Natalee home... where she belongs! - Jimbo Banks

Anonymous said...

The only "news" that is breaking is that Peter de Vris says that he has a tape of Joran supposedly confessing to someone. There is no way if this was REAL evidence that the police would be waiting to act upon the information until after de Vries Sunday night program (timed with the US Super Bowl?)

Anonymous said...

Thank you "janneke from holland"...Could you be so kind as to keep us updated please?

Anonymous said...

That Joran VanderSloot has got to be the sickest person on the planet. I hope Peter has the goods on him. He is a sick individual and he didn't deserve to lay his evil eyes on a body as beautiful as Natalee's. He should go to jail for life... if not get the DP.

Anonymous said...

God bless you Persistence team!

You are the mighty bearers of hope, where there was only cruelty, and evil.

You are the living presence of a miracle in our midst, the transformative blessing that raises up the promise of hope, and breathes new life, where there was only sorrow!

Angels on your pillows tonight, Persistence,...may their wings surround you with protection, embrace you with renewed faith, and may they guide you in wisdom and bless you with peace.

Hope for Natalee, because you are the bearers of her precious hopes!

~Pearl~

Anonymous said...

Hi Kyle,

I love the music in the 3d video. Can you tell me what it is?

best

Vic

Anonymous said...

Do NOT listen!!! Perhaps the Persistence is navigating on "hot waters" and they are throwing off a bone see if you fetch it and call the search off.

Anonymous said...

Check out the crime reporters website on Beths reaction to his information. http://www.peterrdevries.com/

Anonymous said...

Vic, it's from Chocolat

It says so right on the video.

Anonymous said...

Monday night in the United States CBS got permission to show the Natalee Holloway report that her mom is shocked about that there is proof Natalee is dead....

I don't want to wait until then to know what they have. And Good Morning America showed a preview of the interview.

Can you, the crew, give us any details, we know you are there searching. You must be hearing all of this, right. Is Beth really in Holland?

 
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