My involvement with MV Custos began because I am convinced I know where to find MH370, because two underwater sonar arrays detected her impact in 2014 and co-located her position.
I wish to acquire and restore an elderly deep sea research vessel, operate it for a couple of years as a cruise vessel to pay for fitting her out to perform a seabed sonar search for MH370 in the right place.
One sonar array at Cape Leuwin Western Australia detected an impact at 00:23 UTC just minutes past the last satellite signal from MH370 at 00:19 UTC on a heading of 234.6 degrees. The other was the french EARS sonar array HA04 at Amsterdam Island which also detected the same impact on a heading of 134 degrees. Meteorologist Tim Vasquez also highlighted the shadows of jet contrails on cloud tops, heading south where no airlines operated on the morning MH370 disappeared.
In the same general area multiple satellites located 522 large floating objects. US Navy, Australian and Chinese search planes located and tracked several items until 26 March 2014 when AMSA called of the search & rescue operation. All these sightings were ignored when later Australia's ATSB conducted a fruitless seabed search 425nm to the North.
Thus, in 2016 I was looking for a vessel capable of performing a sonar search. That led me to the current owner Andre Victor in Mozambique who disclosed her machinery is in sound order, but the vessel needs plates reclad around her waterline owing to corrosion. I observed in her previous life as a Lobster fishing boat called Gillian Gaggins on expeditions to Tristan de Cahuna, she accommodated 6 officers, 16 crew and 50 fishermen.
Obviously this vessel could earn her keep either as a ferry or cruise boat perhaps performing dive charters or wedding cruises. My proposal is to operate MV Custos in a not for profit enterprize in New Zealand waters until she can be equipped for a seabed search.
That is why I propose to purchase the vessel, move her to a shipyard in Cape Town, South Africa for repairs and sail her to New Zealand where I live, for a new life. In particular, I propose to operate MV Custos from the port of Nelson to French Pass about 30 nautical miles away where the tide surges in spectacular fashionbetween D'urville island and the mainland in deep blue waters surrounded by hills clad in forests of emerald green.
People who have followed Twitter since that tragedy in 2014 will have heard my name already. Some prominent relatives of MH370 include Jennifer Chong, Danica Weeks or Grace Subathirai Nathan. So far I have only asked Danica to endorse this campaign but she has expressed her willingness. Any of these people will have heard my name and can attest that I have long held a conviction to acquire such a vessel for a private seabed search.
Previously I twice attempted to launch a search project by creating groups of like minded people but soon learned that those I presumed supported my aims were discreet detractors. Now I have resolved not to do this by committee but just roll up my sleves and do this myself. However I do need the generousity of others. Please will you help me?
Because I earn my keep as a long haul overnight truck driver and I have my own bills to pay, this vessel has to also earn its keep which is why I propose to use MV Custos in a tourism operation. I have had quotes to equip her with sonar equipment. It will take time and money before she can perform such a search. A sonar tow sled for example can be acquired for about US$1m second hand. A tow-wire drum reel also cost about US$1m and then the vessel needs an A-frame on the stern. These are the two big ticket items needed once the vessel is seaworthy
The first step however is to save MV Custos from being scrapped and get her back in survey. I am happy to collaborate with like minded people. I can be contacted via (symngun @ gmail.com)
Should this campaign fall far short of the target, then other campaigns will follow until the overall goal is achieved. If sufficient funds are raised to rescue this vessel, but not sufficient for her refit money raised will be used as seed capital to find commercial funding.
In the event MV Custos is scrapped or otherwise can't be rescued a comparable vessel would be located and purchased.
Wishes
In return for any donation exceeding $5,000 if overall campaign raises $150,000 or more then I offer the right to participate in restoration of the vessel MV Custos or a similar vessel and to participate in the ultimate search effort, including access for journalists or news organisations etc on first come first served basis and according to accommodation capacity of the vessel. Note if MV Custos is not rescued and heads to the scrappers I will seek another similar size vessel. All funds raised will be rolled into another successive campaign if this campaign falls short of target
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In return for any donation exceeding $5,000 if overall campaign raises $150,000 or more then I offer the right to participate in restoration of the vessel MV Custos or a similar vessel and to participate in the ultimate search effort, including access for journalists or news organisations etc on first come first served basis and according to accommodation capacity of the vessel. Note if MV Custos is not rescued and heads to the scrappers I will seek another similar size vessel. All funds raised will be rolled into another successive campaign if this campaign falls short of target
