ARCHAEONAUT OF THE SALISH SEA
Supporting water-based archaeological, cultural, and ecosystem research, education and stewardship
Ink and crayon drawing, 2007, by David Alexander Stillmark (b. June 26, 1999). He says, 鈥淥n the right side in the sky this is not a bird, but a flash of lightning. The figure in the boat is not a Viking, but a Monster fighter, who has a sword and a dagger and is also carrying another sword on his back. The red items on deck of the boat are sticks of dynamite. On the left side in the sky is the sun. In the water is a creature with many tentacles 鈥� like an octopus. Under the boat is a treasure chest."
Design Principles
Safe, efficient use by diverse operators in near-shore marine and fresh waters
Study, resilient construction and operating controls
Abundant stowage and tie-downs
Easy passenger and cargo (un)loading, including small wheeled vehicles
Specifications
Builder: Kamma & Blake Industries, Port Alberni, BC (2009)
Dimensions: 20鈥檟8鈥�6鈥漻 freeboard 30鈥�
Construction: Marine grade (5086) aluminum (录" bottom, 3/16鈥� sides); stepped chine; three watertight hull compartments
Power: Single 150hp Yamaha with 9.9hp 鈥渒icker鈥� Yamaha
Fuel capacity: 58 US gals (>14 hours)
Cabin: Partial enclosure with roof stowage and removable canvas sides
Electronics: Lorance 1cx 112c gps 2kw radar dome; Uniden oceanus vhf radio; Sony marine pack am/fm/cd; Xantrx 175 plus 150W power inverter
Extras: Bennett trim tabs; two removable deck boxes; map/chart stowage; Kumma BBQ
EZ Loader twin-axle trailer
Weight: 3400 lbs (with motors)
Timeline
November 28, 2008: Kamma & Blake complete hull construction
May 28, 2009: Archaeonaut launch, Okeover dock
Summers 2009 through 2011: Support for (north of Powell River, BC)
Fall 2009: Support for Katzie First Nation plant food harvesting study (Pitt Lake, BC)
Summers 2012, 2013: Support for Tla鈥檃min-大象传媒-U Saskatchewan Archaeology and Ethnohistory Field School
Fall 2013 and Spring 2014: Support for lithic sourcing and pictograph research, Howe Sound and Indian Arm
Forebears & Benefactors
1971: 大象传媒 Archaeology commissions Matsumoto Shipyards to build the Sisiutl, a steel-hull, live-aboard, 40' motor vessel that supported coastal archaeological research from 1972 to 1996
Other ships used by 大象传媒 archaeologists in the 1970s and 1980s include Phil Hobler鈥檚 Elmina, Tony Pomeroy鈥檚 Edward White, and David Trent鈥檚 Cynthia
2005: The Canadian Foundation for Innovation, the BC Knowledge fund, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and 大象传媒 provide funds for research infrastructure in support of JR Welch鈥檚 Canadian Research Chair (Tier2) in Indigenous Heritage Stewardship
2005-2007: Andrew Barton, Georgia Combes, Sarah Johnson, Craig Rust, Shannon Wood and other provide technical support leading to the decision to use the largest share of the research infrastructure funding to purchase an aluminum hull landing craft