[Apendix I]

The preliminary investigation was planned as laid out in this document. (Comments and deviations are written in italics.)

Plan for the marine archaeological investigation of the anchorage off Tranquebar

Purpose:
To locate ship wrecks or other objects on the seabed off Fort Dansborg in Tranquebar. This is preliminary work that could lead to future marine archaeological investigations and excavations in the area.

Our trip and investigation is planned from 2-12 February 2007.

Local working conditions:<br> Working conditions in the Tranquebar area are very difficult as there are often large waves and swells. Especially the large swells result in strong currents which make working under water very difficult. The large swells also swirl the sediment up from the seabed causing reduced visibility. The best time for working near the coast is in the winter months from January to March when the climate is dry and there is less wind.

Local working conditions: After interviewing local divers it was confirmed that the best weather and diving conditions are in the months from January to March. During January the waters often have poor visibility, whereas visibility is best in February and March.
Unfortunately the water was unclear during the whole time we were in the area. During the first two days, the waves and surf were about 1 metre high, and during the last 2 days there were a significant number of waves about 1.5 metres and a maximum wave height of 2.5 metres.
Despite these difficulties, we managed to work every day, apart from one where it was impossible to use the computer and equipment from the open fishing boat due to spray and flooding. The day was instead used to document wooden anchors in the village, and preparing our diving equipment for the following day.

A Brief Description of the Assignment:

1.
An initial assessment in Denmark of the objects likely to be found on the seabed near Tranquebar.

2.
Local fishermen were asked about wrecks or other obstacles on the seabed in the area. Are there for example places where their nets get stuck on the seabed?

3.
A systematic investigation of anomalies at depths of 4-10 metres taken with a proton magnetometer from a local fishing boat.

4.
A systematic investigation of anomalies at depths of 10-15 metres taken with a proton magnetometer from a larger vessel.

5.

A diving survey of potential positions based on information from local fishermen and anomalies located by the proton magnetometer. Although dives were planned they had to be abandoned because of low visibility on the seabed, and due to the heights of the waves which were more than 100% greater than diving permitted.

6. Discoveries, if found, measured, and documented with underwater video.

7. All results collected into an electronic rapport with photographs and underwater video.

Use of local vessels:
    Diving ship - one day
    Open fishing boat three days

Equipment brought from Denmark:

   GPS complete with computer, echo sounder and proton magnetometer
   Digital camera in waterproof case
   2 diving suits 
   2 sets of flippers
   2 diving goggles
   2 snorkels
   2 x 15l bottles with harnesses
   1 adapter for an air tank to the regulator/aqualung
   2 aqualungs with mouth pieces
   1 air compressor set (in case we were unable to refill the bottles locally)
     ruler, tape measure, underwater paper and pencil

Personnel:

      Gert Normann - diver and consultant in the area of historical ships
      Kim Schmidt  - diver and technician
      Local helpers where necessary

Programme:

Saturday 3/2: Travel: Billund-Frankfurt-Chennai.

Sunday 4/2: Met with Captain Ramon in Chennai and drove to Tranquebar.

Monday 5/2: Visited the site at Tranquebar and interviewed local fishermen.

Tuesday 6/2:

Visited harbours and ships. Investigated and measured old transport boats - masulas.

Wednesday 7/2:

Sailed with a small fishing boat and took measurements with the proton magnetometer.

Thursday 8/2: Continued work from previous day.

Friday 9/2:

Diving and investigations. (Due to weather conditions and high water we tried to work
later in the day. The boat came through the surf, but there was so much water over the gunnel that we were unable to unpack our equipment from their waterproof boxes. Instead we sailed back to shore and researched and measured wooden anchors.)

Saturday 10/2:

Sailed with a large boat with divers and proton magnetometer. The waves were very high, though we could work with the proton magnetometer because we worked from a larger vessel than we had on the previous days.

Sunday 11/2: Packed equipment and drove to Chennai.

Monday 12/2: Return trip Chennai-Frankfurt-Billund

1.	An initial assessment in Denmark of the objects likely to be found on the seabed near Tranquebar.
2.	Local fishermen were asked about wrecks or other obstacles on the seabed in the area. Are there for example places where their nets get stuck on the seabed?
3.	A systematic investigation of anomalies at depths of 4-10 metres taken with a proton magnetometer from a local fishing boat.
4.	A systematic investigation of anomalies at depths of 10-15 metres taken with a proton magnetometer from a larger vessel.

5.	A diving survey of potential positions based on information from local fishermen and anomalies located by the proton magnetometer. Although dives were planned they had to be abandoned because of low visibility on the seabed, and due to the heights of the waves which were more than 100% greater than diving permitted.
6.	Discoveries, if found, measured, and documented with underwater video.
7.	All results collected into an electronic rapport with photographs and underwater video.

Saturday 3/2:	Travel: Billund-Frankfurt-Chennai.
Sunday 4/2:	Met with Captain Ramon in Chennai and drove to Tranquebar.
Monday 5/2:	Visited the site at Tranquebar and interviewed local fishermen.
Tuesday 6/2:	Visited harbours and ships. Investigated and measured old transport boats - masulas.
Wednesday 7/2:	Sailed with a small fishing boat and took measurements with the proton magnetometer.
Thursday 8/2:	Continued work from previous day.
Friday 9/2:	Diving and investigations. (Due to weather conditions and high water we tried to work later in the day. The boat came through the surf, but there was so much water over the gunnel that we were unable to unpack our equipment from their waterproof boxes. Instead we sailed back to shore and researched and measured wooden anchors.)
Saturday 10/2:	Sailed with a large boat with divers and proton magnetometer. The waves were very high, though we could work with the proton magnetometer because we worked from a larger vessel than we had on the previous days.
Sunday 11/2:	Packed equipment and drove to Chennai.
Monday 12/2:	Return trip Chennai-Frankfurt-Billund