Friday, February 29, 2008

XVIII. Sonar Search Complete

Update: Mon 03-March 1345 hrs
With the sonar search completed, the RV Persistence sets sail heading to its home port in Louisiana. With mixed emotions, the search team returns home. When we arrived in Aruba in mid-December we were mentally prepared to return home either having found Natalee, or after having exhausted all possibilities in the quest to find her. It is difficult going home with many questions left unanswered and so many sonar targets remaining to be explored. Our comfort lies in knowledge that we have done the best job we could, that we can return to dive on the remaining targets when funded, and that answers may come in time. We feel that the search is not over but rather entering a new phase. We are thankful for the outpouring of generosity, love, support, and prayers throughout the entire search effort.

Sat 01-March 0915 hrs
Since the 16th of December, off the west coast of Aruba the search team on board the RV Persistence has been combing the sea floor of an area 80% the size of Aruba. The Herculean side scan sonar search is complete. With a complete picture of entire search area's seabed, a final ROV dive target list will be constructed. This list is expected to well-exceed 100 targets. The timing and extent of the remaining ROV dive operations depends on weather, logistics, and funding.
The team is weary, yet filled with a sense of accomplishment. The team has performed very well even under the intense pressure, difficult terrain, rough seas, and often grueling pace.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Persistence could also go by the name Endurance or Progress...so inspired by your work and still sending prayers for your success and saftey.

Anonymous said...

To All The Crew:

You guys are truly amazing. Please don't give up if there is any way you can hang on for donations that are coming in. Everyone on Scared Monkeys has been working hard to raise money so you wonderful work can continue and hopefully you can bring Natalee home. You are being watched from all over the world. We are so very proud of each and everyone of you for your effort and what you have given up on a daily basis. Not to forget the hardships of being at sea. I just know the money will come in. Love you all so much.

Anonymous said...

Great work Persistence team. We can understand why you are tired, living on a boat day after day.

I hope you get sufficient donations to complete the dives. I'm guessing since only dives are left, there were no more crab cages seen?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update Kyle!

I wish you the best in your search efforts and be safe out there.

To anyone reading this post, please make a donation, however small, to the Persistence search efforts through Equusearch. It is greatly appreciated by everyone.

Anonymous said...

Way to go guys, we're proud of you. Bring Natalee back home where she belongs...

Anonymous said...

Hang in there you guys! You are doing a great thing! We want Natalee to be found just as bad as you do so "someone" can be punished for this crime. If GOD wants her to be found it will be.

Much love from Houston! XOXO

Anonymous said...

I am excited to see what the 10 targets show. Please becareful and I am hoping for the best. You all are amazing and I hope you find something. We are all waiting and hoping. Thanks.

mishy said...

Thank you for your persistence in searching for the remains of Natalee. I pray that your search turns up something soon. Many people are donating so that you can continue your efforts and I pray that ya'll can hold on until the funding is in place. You are making a truly valiant and heroic effort in helping a family put their daughter to rest on hallowed soil. We are all behind you. Thank you for standing with Natalee!

Anonymous said...

Everyone go ask Oprah for a donation. Hit her up at her web site

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr.John Silvetti and your crew,from the state of VERMONT please know your country is so PROUD of you all, PLEASE dont give up guys, everyone is Praying for your safety, and for you guys to not give up hope, your country is watching you all, and we know you will bring Natalee home. Thank-you from your country the united states. Ron

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr.John Silvetti and your crew,from the state of VERMONT please know your country is so PROUD of you all, PLEASE dont give up guys, everyone is Praying for your safety, and for you guys to not give up hope, your country is watching you all, and we know you will bring Natalee home. Thank-you from your country the united states

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. John Silvetti and crew, i have just posted a comment on www.Gretawire.com 10:17pm 3-1-08, i dont know if you read our comments but i think it says alot for you wonderful men, and i hope it helps and im happy that fox news let me post it. PLEASE dont give up guys,thank-you!RON /VERMONT

Texas Wine Snob said...

May God bless you in your outstanding efforts and help bring peace and resolution to this nightmare. You guys ROCK and I hope that the recent publicity for your efforts has been successful. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think you and I know you have the support of hundreds of other people. exmycl

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work! We're all waiting anxiously to see what your team finds.

Louis said...

It is so disappointing that this effort must end while being so close to completion. However, we all know and understand the reasons for the Persistence and all those involved in this magnificent Search For Natalee having to bring it to an end. Those who made this search possible and all those who were a part of it in whatever way have gone beyond what anyone has done before in trying to find Natalee.

I personally thank each and everyone of you that were involved for your tremendous efforts. You did this not for yourselves, but out of love for another. Be proud of what you have done, because we are all so very proud of you.

None of us have given up nor will we and if it is God's will, the Persistence will return. May God be with the Persistence and the crew to ensure a safe trip home.

Anonymous said...

i admire each and every one of you so much. we wont give up yet. anyone know why Chaney is in Aruba?? My prayers are with you and with Natalee and her family and loved ones

Anonymous said...

It's sad that there have been posts elsewhere but you aren't telling the faithful readers here that despite our donations, you are leaving Aruba.

You've done wonderful, faithful work; but this pull out while only giving a short time to raise donations really has me not understanding and frankly pretty upset.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for what you do. There are so many people praying that you'll find Natalee and bring her home. You are just an amazing bunch of people.

Louis said...

Words are simply insufficient to really say just what your magnificent effort has meant, not only to us here, but also to all of Natalee's family members. Your devotion, dedication and the tremendous personal sacrifices you made for Natalee are above and beyond what anyone could expect. The crew of the Persistence, Louis Schafer, John Silvetti, who made this Search for Natalee possible, Tim Miller, and all the others who were a part of this huge and difficult undertaking are to be praised and will always be remembered for their efforts.

You gave us hope, you strengthened our faith, and you raised our spirits high. Your persistence enabled us to continue to be persistent in this quest to find Natalee and bring her home. We know that you have not given up, that this hiatus is just a temporary situation and that the quest for Natalee will continue once again soon. We have not given up either and we will do whatever we can to enable the resources necessary to bring you back.

Love is like an eternal flame. Once it is lit, it will continue to burn for all time. You lit that flame. Love is also the choice one makes to put someone's wishes, desires and needs above their own and you made that choice. Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, and having no end and your efforts illustrate that perfectly.

May the Lord place his blessings upon all of you and guide you safely home. We will wait patiently for your return to complete your mission.

Anonymous said...

John,
Just a thought i had on thur.Jan.17, 2100 you received a call from Aruba Port Authority of a vessel in distress, a sail boat named Michelle, that you were called off. maybe true? but i have to wonder if you and your crew were close to something? Natalee? and you and your crew were called to a possible false vessel in distress, when indeed someone may have seen you close to something. Just a thought. thanks John! Ron

Anonymous said...

John,
I just looked at the time frame when you received the call from the Aruba Port Authoritys, of the vessel in distress, 2100hrs! then the call off 2300hrs! 2 hours, one of the videos on this sight, said some places were broke into, and only one crate was taken the night Natalee was missing.you wonderful men were called to the vessel for 2 hours. would that have been enough time where you and your crew were when you got the call, if you were close to where Natalee may have been dumped, could someone remove her and the crate, or just get you away, maybe you guys were to close, and they new it? it also seems strange that they would call you and your crew for help, then 2hrs later call you off. John im sure this has crossed your mind, and your crew. when i first heard of your site just weeks ago on fox news from Natalees Dad, i went to your sight and i was reading over your days of very hard work, this day, Thur. Jan.17th 2100hrs, and the 2300hrs realy stuck out and made me wonder.
John i pray and hope as so many people do, that we can get some donations, to have you wonderful men return to Aruba. im very proud of you and your crew. my Prayers are with you all. please be safe returning home.
Thank-you all! Ron

Dihannah1 said...

There are NO words to express the gratitude felt for what you did and the SACRIFICES you made! God will Bless you one day. You are truly amazing people with amazing talents and HUGE hearts!

I pray for your safe return home and looking forward to the next phase!

God Bless!

Dihannah1 of SM

Anonymous said...

Kyle,
Just to clarify, are you reviewing imagery and then sending somebody back to review highly probable targets provided $$ are available? God bless you guys and your mission. Please don't give up!

Anonymous said...

We pray you have a safe journey,we thank you all,(families too) for your sacrifice,we look forward with you for the next phase,Knowing that you have done all within your power at this time.You are all amazing.
Thank You and God Bless everyone!!
raz&sharon and family

Anonymous said...

Have you looked at all the photo's you took while out in the areas you were looking at? Is there any chance the things that showed up on those films could be Natalie or even other people who might have disappeared? When will the results of your work be put out to the public? I feel like we watched and waited and are now left high and dry. What is happening????????

Anonymous said...

any new news?

Alex van Ommen said...

Natalee is in the news again. This time it's twofold. First off, Beth Twitty is making a tv movie that's going to be released on Lifetime. Second, another young white girl disappeared in a former Dutch colony. The case is getting immediate comparison, and Twitty has already tried to contact the parents to offer support, condolences, or anything she can. The van der Kouwe family, however, is avoiding all media attention. I've got some english-language filtering of the Dutch media reports on my blog, especially this most recent post.

Anonymous said...

"Hope is the reason I believed Natalee was going to come through that door. Hope is why we react the way we do at all of these strange and excruciating and ultimately disappointing occurrences. It's that glimmer of a promise that the answer will be revealed." Beth Holloway

Have faith in the transformative power of Hope.

Pearl

Anonymous said...

Our hearts are with you, Beth and Dave and all Natalee's family and friends.

May hope finally bring the answers that Natalee's family has longed for, during these past three and a half painful years.

"Hope is the reason I believed Natalee was going to come through that door. Hope is why we react the way we do at all of these strange and excruciating and ultimately disappointing occurrences. It's that glimmer of a promise that the answer will be revealed." Beth Holloway

Pearl

Anonymous said...

"Hope is the reason...it's that glimmer of a promise that the answers will be revealed." (Beth Holloway)

February 3, 2009
And still we hope.

We hope that Natalee Holloway's right to human dignity will matter to those who create our laws in striving to form that 'perfect union'.

We hope that Natalee Holloway's right to justice will matter to those who took oaths to uphold what we treasure in our Constitution and our Bill of Rights.

We hope that Natalee Holloway's right to be dignified with a humane burial and returned to her beloved family and homeland will stir the hearts of lawmakers from Alabama to California, from Illinois to Florida to cry out for justice in her name, for Natalee and for all our children.
Let Natalee's right to justice become an outcry for justice for ALL our children, summoning a civilized humane and law-abiding response from Dutch-Aruban lawmakers! Her answers await our persistence in refusing to surrender OUR POWER TO SUMMON HOPE!

As our newly elected president has said: "We are the ANSWERS we have been waiting for..."

Summon hope for Natalee and her family, and for every child's right to human dignity and freedom:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

If we surrender Natalee's freedom, her human rights, we surrender the human dignity of every child with her. Is Natalee's freedom not part of our hopes for a "perfect union"?
How can any child be safe, where one child is targeted by unconscionable men, who hold no value for her human dignity or her precious life? How can any child be safe under a government and in an environment that sanctions human rights abuses targeting an American child?

Send a message to the Dutch Netherlands and Aruba: HOPE cannot be crushed and destroyed, nor can Natalee Holloway's human rights be obliterated.

Pearl

Anonymous said...

You won't find Natalee in the shores off Aruba. The one time Johan told the truth is when he said he sold her into slavery in Venezuela. Kidnap van der Sloot, or one of his Suriname buddies, torture them Israeli-style, and you will get the details you need to recover Natalee.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I have heard of young girls being sold into slavery since I was a child. I lived near the border of Mexico in California and was warned by my mother over and over...never to drink anything that was NOT sealed..to be careful of who I was with and to never, never go into a restroom alone.
Those were the rule! I am now an old woman of 72 and as soon as I heard about Natalie, for some reason...I just knew! It is such a strong feeling that she has been sold and that those three boys got money for her and split it. Just a hunch, but at this age I have long ago learned my hunches are about 99% right on! Those boys KNOW who took her and where she is. I am sure they are afraid they will be harmed if they tell..but hey...Natalie was harmed I am sure. MAKE THEM TELL THE TRUTH. I am not for torture..but...there has GOT to be some way of getting the truth out of them. She is out there. Somewhere. My heart breaks for her parents. She is not in the ocean...SOMEONE has that young woman!!

Anonymous said...

Natalee Holloway's remains are in one of the caves on the island. A section that has been cordoned off or sealed off that one of the boys is familiar with or connected to.

Anonymous said...

a man from n.az.say's he saw natalee with two white and one latino men.this man saw natalee three time's,once trying to make a phone call(on a public phone),the following day he saw the same three men riding quad's with natalee cuffed at the wrist's on back of one quad.then the witness called the local police to report the woman in need of help,but the police never showed.later in the night she was screaming for help and yelling "your hurting me, help,leave me alone".the witness say,s it happened a couple hundred feet from his home.the latino man clasped his hand over mouth to quiet her and yelled "puta"at her when she bit his finger.the witness believes natalee was choked,then he saw her body put into black plastic bag,then closed with wire.the witness has personal evedince from the scene,he has tried calling authorites,and even called americas most wanted to no avail.the witness has more information,but he feels like he's talking to a wall.can you at least leave a message on how he can reach you

A Seattle Parent said...

When will you return to Aruba to search the sites you marked so long ago? We still want justice for Natalee. Please help

 
Web Development Services