Wahoo Search Newsletter #3 - July 10, 2002

Contents

• Planning Status
• Who has interest in the Wahoo
• Project sponsorship
• Why do we need permission anyway?
• Clive Cussler in Japan

Contents

• Planning Status
• Who has interest in the Wahoo
• Project sponsorship
• Why do we need permission anyway?
• Clive Cussler in Japan

Planning Status

We've entered what may be considered the quiet phase of the project. The high level project planning is complete and we await word from the Russian Government which hopefully will be a "Thumb's Up" for searching in their waters. Not to say we've been idle as there is still much work to do.

Some key items we've been addressing:

• Investigating project vessel options in Wakkanai.
• Notifying the American Consulate in Vladivostok
• Seeking advice from the American Business Center in Sakhalin.
• Working with project sponsors.
• Considering equipment options.

Who has interest in the Wahoo?

Wahoo newsletter #1 was sent out in early April to list of about 40 people. It was mainly to people who've been communicating together over the years who share a common interest (shall we say passion) for World War II submarines from any nation. This edition of the newsletter will go to about 150 people. A quick break down of these people ranges from submarine veterans, book authors and publishers, history buffs, and friends and relatives of Wahoo crew members At least seven countries are represented including the United States, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom. If I'm missing a country in this list, please let me know.

Working with project sponsors

NUMA is almost entirely a volunteer organization. And it does not have a huge pot of gold or fat bank account funding its projects. Hence, over the years it has honed an effective but relatively low cost way to fulfill its mission. However, "Relatively low cost" does not mean cheap or inexpensive. Time is money and many people donate their time. And searching for and diving on sunken ships and planes takes resources. To this end, NUMA has been blessed with organizations and companies who share our view of the worthiness of our projects and sponsor equipment and other resources. Cases in point are various diving equipment companies. NUMA Australia director Wayne Sampey has a productive many companies and some have agreed to be equipment sponsors for the Wahoo project. Another one is JAL (Japan Airlines). The Wahoo project is a multinational effort and JAL has kindly agreed to provide assistance in getting the project team to the search site. Last, but not least, is the man himself, George Logue. George is going above and beyond his work outlined in the Wahoo Search Letter #2 by providing direct sponsorship.

Without such sponsorship, projects like the WAHOO would not be possible. As one can expect, we have to lay out details of the project including our 60+ page project plan and they've had to be assured of the validity of the project. It's not easy work but it's worth it.

Why do we need permission anyway?

The Wahoo is believed to rest in Soya (La Perouse) Strait, just inside Russian waters from Japan. In 1943, when the Wahoo was sunk, these waters were securely under Japanese control. Being on the border between two countries that have been at war with each other twice in the last century, it's a more sensitive area than, say, 10 miles off of Miami, Florida or even Tokyo. We all like to live interesting lives but none of us wish to push our luck in this area of the world. So, we've been working with our Russian friends to obtain clear permission to search in their waters. After all, if this were easy, it would have been done before!

Clive Cussler in Japan

Clive Cussler has a large and active readership in Japan and most if not all his titles have been published here. NUMA Japan is looking to get the word out as much as possible about the Wahoo project but being rank amateurs in the publicity area, we needed to engage professionals. Such popularity that Clive-san has opens doors and in our case, a door was opened to his Japanese agent, Miyo Kai of Tuttle-Mori Agency, Inc. Japanese love to read and Tuttle-Mori's offices are located in the Mecca for book stores in Japan, an area called Jinbocho. Their offices are packed full of the latest books in Japan including the translations of Clive-san's latest books. Miyo-san in turn introduced us to Clive-san's publisher in Japan, Shinchosha.