The mystery ship that was discovered in waters off Koh Kong province’s Koh Sdech island in February could take between six months and two years to raise from the sea floor, officials said Monday.
Chuch Phoeung, secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture, said Cambodia may need help to salvage the ship, which police say is being watched day and night.
“It is not easy to take up,” Chuch Phoeun said. “With this kind of job, Cambodia might need the help of the US’ National Geographic Society.”
A committee formed by Prime Minister Hun Sen, in response to the ship’s discovery, will meet today or Wednesday in Koh Kong, he said, adding that any order to salvage the ship will come from Hun Sen himself.
At the National Museum in Phnom Penh on Monday, staff members displayed eight objects retrieved from the ship earlier this month. Two stone bowls had lattice engravings typical of the 14th Century, librarian Hor Kosal said. A tea pot, wine jug and water vessel appear to be pre-Angkorian and to come from what is now Southern Vietnam, he added.
UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Country Representative Teruo Jinnai said he had not yet heard of the discovery.
“That is great news…. Unesco is not involved with that but if we are requested to help on technical matters or legal matters we will offer help,” he said.
