Later that year, on 30 August, the OSA dive-support vessel "Stephaniturm" steamed to the site from Peterhead, and the diving operation began in earnest under the leadership of former RN Clearance Diving Officer, Mike Stewart. On 15 September 1981, diver John Rossier found the first bar of gold. By 7 October, when bad weather finally forced the cessation of the diving operation, 431 of 465 ingots had been recovered. At the time the haul was worth in excess of £40,000,000 sterling(in 2020 worth around £140,000,000).This bullion recovery project created a World Record in deep diving which stands to this day.