News
B-29 plane crash dive site in Nevada re-opens to public
A rare piece of American history sitting at the bottom of Lake Mead in Boulder City, Nevada, will again be open to scuba divers.
A B-29 Superfortress World War II plane crash landed in Lake Mead in 1948 and wasn’t found again until 2002.
Public access to the crash site has been restricted for the past six years, but is now open again for a brief period.
Joel Silverstein and his dive crew have been given a special permit to give guided tours to this rare piece of American history.
“The B-29’s were very important during World War II,” said Silverstein. “They carried all the different bombs and a lot of people flew in them and they were the most popular and most used plane in World War II.”
The dive site is about a 30 minute boat ride from Echo Bay near Overton, Nevada. The war plane has sat there for nearly 70 years and Silverstein says viewing the plane is like a trip back in time.
“You want to think of the B-29 Overton site like a museum. And just like when you go into a museum, you go in with a guide. We take you down the anchor line across a mooring to a gateway to get to it,” he said.
The wreckage has been closed off to the public since 2009. Damage from visitors and the economic downturn forced the National Park Service to rethink access to the site.
“We did see some minor damage happen to the plane – people kicking it, stepping on things, touching certain areas,” said Silverstein.
The historically low water level of Lake Mead has let sunlight filter down to the bottom, illuminating the wreckage so divers can get a better look.
“The other advantage of the site being in shallower water is that more divers can actually access it,” said Silverstein. “Prior to it being at 118 feet, you had to have very heavy technical diving skills to dive it.”
Silverstein says there is noticeable damage to the bomber since the last time he’s been there.
An invasive species of quagga mussels cover the plane’s wings like a furry coat. The tail section and some internal components have also been damaged by the mussels.
“What’s happened with the quagga mussels is, they’ve attached themselves to the material,” said Silverstein. “They’ve added weight to some of that material and it’s torn off, so sections of the tail that were there before are no longer there.”
The B-29 was on a classified mission carrying a crew of five in July 1948. The plane was ditched into Lake Mead, skimming across the water, ripping off all but one engine. The five men floated for six hours until they were rescued.
Confusion about where the plane sunk caused the plane wreckage to go missing for more than 50 years until it was found in 2002 with the use of sonar.
The B-29 Superfortress crash site is only open for a limited time. For the next two years, they’ll run about 100 dives a year – a limited number to prevent damage to the crash site itself.
For more information visit Joel’s website.
Source: www.8newsnow.com
Photo: Mel Clark
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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