N.Y. In addition to the weather, divers must also contend with inherent dangers of such a deep plunge, including sharks, said Barry Clifford, a Cape Cod, Mass., shipwreck salvager and veteran diver. It's extremely dangerous. Limited time underwater So dangerous, said Navy Capt. We anticipate this being more an ROV operation so that we do not endanger the sailors that are going down diving. Helmeted divers will be tethered to the Grapple by lifelines carrying air, warm water to heat their suits and wires for communicating.
Divers face the constant threat of having the lines severed by sharp fragments of debris.
Have 30 minutes to search Once on the ocean floor, each diver will likely be able to spend a maximum of 30 minutes searching, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Most of the time in the water will be spent returning to the surface, which could take up to two hours. And once aboard the Grapple , divers will spend more than two hours in a recompression chamber. Although many of the divers are veterans of the TWA Flight 800 recovery, they still face emotional challenges that come with finding bodies and personal effects amid remnants of the jetliner. It's when you get out of the water that it starts to hit you a little bit.