Rick, Marty, Steve, Terry, and Roger Lead Bold Exploration into Aladdin’s Cave | Oak Island S11E8

Originally aired on January 2, 2024, The Curse of Oak Island Season 11, Episode 8, titled “A Void At All Costs,” spotlights the team’s continued investigation of Aladdin’s Cave, a mysterious underground chamber first identified in earlier episodes. Now armed with refined sonar data, Steve Guptill and Paul Troutman take the lead in reviewing the results, revealing two precise, linear features that cut across the sonar map—anomalies unlikely to occur naturally. Paul affirms the significance of the data, while Steve prepares the 3D model to offer a more comprehensive spatial view.

Meanwhile, Terry Matheson, the team’s geologist, provides critical context, noting that sediment—likely sand—may be obscuring features on the cave floor. This interpretation adds further intrigue, as it suggests that the chamber may be concealing structures or artifacts that aren’t immediately visible.

As the team gathers around the data, Marty Lagina zeroes in on what appears to be a squared-off wall—an angular formation that stands out from the surrounding geology. Marty, ever analytical, raises the possibility that these are remnants of human activity—perhaps a deliberately engineered deposit site.

Paul Troutman, contributing to the discussion, proposes drilling a new borehole aimed at accessing the western portion of the cave, where the anomalies appear most defined. His recommendation is received with consensus, as both Rick and Marty Lagina support the plan. They also agree to reposition the sonar equipment to scan from a new angle, hoping to confirm whether an entrance to the cave exists.

Roger Fortin Uncovers Hidden Chamber Near Garden Shaft

While attention remains fixed on Aladdin’s Cave, a separate but equally compelling development unfolds at the Garden Shaft. The following morning, Craig Tester and Rick Lagina meet with Scott Barlow, who updates them on a concerning escalation: water is now flooding the shaft at a rate of nearly one foot per hour.

To locate the source, the Dumas Contracting crew, led by Roger Fortin, performs a probe drilling operation. What begins as a containment effort evolves into a discovery of unexpected magnitude. Using a downhole camera, Roger uncovers a void approximately 65 feet below the surface. Within this void are rows of stacked wooden planks—boards that appear carefully placed, possibly forming part of a forgotten tunnel or structural feature.

The images Roger captures are both perplexing and exciting. He shares them with Rick and Craig, who immediately recognize the potential importance of what they’re seeing. The construction appears deliberate, and the chamber’s orientation suggests it may extend horizontally—offering yet another path to explore in the larger Oak Island puzzle.

Rick, ever reflective yet resolute, frames the moment as emblematic of Oak Island’s legacy: “If we’re gonna let a little water say to us, ‘We’re done,’—we’re not. We’re not done.” The discovery sparks new energy within the team. However, any direct exploration will first require containment of the floodwaters.

The episode ends not with a breakthrough, but with renewed resolve. The Garden Shaft and Aladdin’s Cave may hold answers—but they demand patience, persistence, and collective effort.

Cast Highlighted in This Episode

• Rick Lagina – Leads strategic planning and field decisions for both sites
• Marty Lagina – Analyzes sonar findings and advocates for targeted drilling
• Steve Guptill – Interprets sonar and develops 3D mapping visuals
• Paul Troutman – Supports sonar analysis and proposes the next borehole
• Terry Matheson – Provides geological insights into cave sediment and structure
• Roger Fortin – Captures critical camera footage revealing buried timbers
• Craig Tester – Reviews shaft conditions and advises on structural risks
• Scott Barlow – Coordinates on-site excavation logistics and problem-solving