Interesting Finds: Underwater Camera

In August 2023, one of the Ninjas found a barnacle-encrusted, seaweed covered underwater camera on the beach whilst out jogging early one morning. Seeing how long it must have been in the water, she threw it away but not before taking a photo of it and uploading it to the group’s WhatsApp as an interesting find. Donna thought it very interesting so on establishing what bin it was in, ran to retrieve it, knowing how early Chichester District Council emptied those particular bins.

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Enlisting the help of another, the housing was opened and astonishingly the camera was dry. Olympus Tough by name and nature. The photos on the SD card indicated it had been in the sea 15 months!

With the help of more friends Donna established there was no data behind the photos revealing location but with a bit of charge the camera was still in full working order amazingly, and despite Mulberry Marine Experiences putting out a social media post, we were no closer to finding the owner.

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Donna next reached out to Olympus and soon heard from a Ricardo at their offices in Portugal. They were able to establish who the camera belonged to through the serial number so arranged for the camera to be sent back to them, where, having cleaned it up, they forwarded it on to the owner. Great job Olympus!

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With a photo of a handwritten note asking the new owner to let her know how and where the camera had been lost, Donna was delighted to hear from a Liz in Petersfield who said she’d been on a SeaSearch dive (a citizen science project) off the Hounds Reef (Selsey) when the camera was lost 15 months prior. Upon surfacing, sea conditions had changed and it was a challenge to get back into the boat. Whilst hauling herself over the side, the leash unclipped itself and Liz watched her camera disappear, conditions being far too rough to risk going after it. Understandably, she never thought she’d see it again, however, delighted to have it back, Liz confirmed that she’s used the camera again whilst snorkelling.

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Litter picking isn't always rubbish.