Fabrication of Wakulla Data,


Ever since the Wakulla II Project began reporting the download logs from the
Cis Lunar Mk5 rigs we were very suspicious of the published data.  There
were two factors which cast doubt on these records. Firstly, the times
involved to reach well known landmarks in the cave were absurdly long.
Secondly and more subtle, were the decompression profiles which appeared to
defy our own extensive and internally well documented experience in this
regard. These reported profiles should have resulted in significant type 1
DCS symptoms, or worse, which were not reported.  Since all of the
participants of the Wakulla II project are subject to  a contractual non
disclosure agreement it is not possible to directly corroborate facts
associated with these dives by direct interrogation of the participating
divers.

Up until today we lacked the definitive proof necessary to make a direct
public accusation of fraud. This is a very serious matter for several
reasons. For one, the results of these dives and the bottom times are being
used to validate the operation of the Cis Lunar Mk5 CCR rebreather under the
extreme conditions of depth and exposure time.  This validation most
assuredly will become part of the marketing support material which endeavors
to establish the Mk5 as the preeminent civilian electronic CCR.   Secondly,
the intentional falsification and publication of data represents a willful
violation of accepted scientific methods and at best is a gross breach of
the fiduciary relationship of the Wakulla II project and it’s sponsors,
which include the State Department of Environmental Regulation and National
Geographic, to name a few.

The dive of January 3rd has a reported bottom time of 1hour 25 minutes.  The
divers claim to have mapped 1200 meters of A tunnel.   The purpose of the
dive involved mapping of the primary A Tunnel in Wakulla Springs. The divers
reported observing the old “Lamar” bottle pinned to the line on the ceiling
about 200ft past the D tunnel entrance. This is well known landmark of WKPP
divers and has been left in place for commemorative purposes.

It so happens that WKPP exploration divers Brent Scarabin Rick Sankey were
chatting with Wakulla II project director Bill Stone just prior to the
exploration team departing for the dive into A tunnel. They made a point to
note the departure time of the divers. When the divers returned, this event
was reported on the dive communication link by Jill Heinreth. Jill who was
on the platform and subsequently exited the park after noting that the
divers had returned safely. Unbeknownst to Bill Stone this event was
overheard by Rick and Brent. They noted the elapsed time to be approximately
40 minutes.  As you will note from the daily updates log on the Wakulla II
website the actual bottom time of the dive was reported as 80 minutes.

It would also appear that the reported distance mapped has been falsified
since it is approximately 600 metres to the “Lamar” bottle from the cave
entrance and based on the 40 minute bottom time the dive was probably turned
just past this bottle.

In conclusion, knowing now that at least one and possibly many of  the
reported bottom times are false, it appears that the elapsed times from the
surface and return to 160ft were essentially doubled to arrive at the
reported figures.  I speak for the many members of our project in stating
that this is disgraceful and an insult to all of us who have worked so hard
to honestly and tirelessly support the Woodville Karst Plain Project at our
own expense and personal risk.

Sincerely yours,

Bill Mee

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