November 28, 2000 -- Washington, DC – U.S. deep ocean search and salvage experts from Phoenix International, Inc. (Phoenix) have successfully recovered a 4 ton section of the conning tower of the Israeli submarine, DAKAR. The 19 ft. x 15 ft. x 9 ft. piece was lifted from the Mediterranean Sea on October 9 from a depth of 9,600 ft.

Phoenix, under contract to Nauticos Corporation, was supporting an Israeli investigation into the cause of DAKAR’s mysterious disappearance 31 years earlier. Using its 20,000 ft depth capable remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Remora III, Phoenix conducted a detailed forensic examination of the hull. The task entailed gathering comprehensive video and 35mm still imagery, collecting water and soil samples, measuring oceanographic parameters, and performing recovery operations of selected items.

Remora rigged the 4 ton sail section using adjustable beam clamps and a Dyneema synthetic lifting line. The direct lift used a topside winch aided by a Dynacon motion compensation system. All recovered items will be displayed at a memorial that honors DAKAR and her crew of sixty nine.

Participants on the investigation included British underwater forensic specialist, Mr. Robin Williams, Forensic Anthropologist/Marine Taphonomist Dr. Marcie Sorg, and Tboat class submariner Cdr. Jonty Powiss of the Royal Navy. The ROV/recovery vessel, M/V EAS, was provided by EDT Towage and Salvage of Cyprus.

DAKAR was lost on January 25, 1968 while on her maiden voyage from the UK to Israel. In May 1999, after years of failed searches, Phoenix and Remora were part of the Nauticos team that finally located and identified DAKAR.

Remora III is a 25 horsepower ROV capable of performing search, inspection, and recovery tasks. Remora’s design is optimized for maximum power and maneuverability in tight spaces, and the entire system is configured for rapid response via air, land, or sea. In January, 2000, Remora recovered Japanese H-II missile debris from 9,850 feet in the Pacific Ocean and in May, recovered F-16D aircraft debris from 3,250 ft. in the Mediterranean Sea.