Richard Byrd Ray
New member
I started treasure hunting at an early age and started treasure diving shortly after. Over the years I encountered many adventures, like my face to face with a 20ft long Great White shark but this one is a bit funny now, but not so at the time.. I was detecting underwater near the Dry Tortugas. Cruising along enjoying the sight of many conchs on the bottom. Always wearing a three window mask, I was suddenly aware of a presence on my right. Looking slowly that way, a giant eye was looking at me. You can imagine how my heart went into my throat and my blood pressure rose. It was a gigantic Barracuda curious about what I was doing and watching over my shoulder. To farther my concern, barracudas open and close their mouth while sitting still, adding to the menacing look. He looked so big that I later related to my dive partner that he looked like the side of a train... Of course, he didn't bother me and I left his territory, in a hurry... This is just to show you that all treasure diving is not serious stuff, at least looking back on it. LOL...
The picture included is of my son and I with our first underwater detector and diving on a shipwreck with an early prototype encased in a plastic housing, we went on to develop several others in the familiar Ikelite housing as many are today. I also taught three of my children to dive, the oldest daughter is now a Master Diver/instructor. Good Luck, be safe...
Richard Byrd Ray
The picture included is of my son and I with our first underwater detector and diving on a shipwreck with an early prototype encased in a plastic housing, we went on to develop several others in the familiar Ikelite housing as many are today. I also taught three of my children to dive, the oldest daughter is now a Master Diver/instructor. Good Luck, be safe...
Richard Byrd Ray
