Rick and Marty Help Unearth Tunnel Below Garden Shaft on Oak Island S11E15

In The Curse of Oak Island Season 11 Episode 15, titled “On Target” and aired on February 20, 2024, Rick and Marty Lagina join the Dumas team to help excavate the final few feet of the Garden Shaft in the Money Pit area. Now at 93 feet and nearing their target depth, they work manually with pneumatic jackhammers to remove dense clay that has prevented the team from reaching a suspected tunnel. Rick reflects on the symbolic value of participating firsthand in this dig, connecting it to their family’s mining heritage.

The hard clay proves challenging, but with perseverance—and assistance from Dumas’s three-ton hammer grab—they manage to break through and expose deeper layers.

Discovery of Wood Beneath the Shaft

After breaking up the last layers of clay, Rick and Marty observe a noticeable change in material and texture. They identify pieces of wood below them and confirm its presence by probing with iron bars. Rick notes the hollow sound beneath the wood—a potential indicator of open space below and possibly the roof of the long-sought tunnel.

Scott Barlow and Craig Tester later confirm with Paul from Dumas that a seven-foot-high tunnel has been located at approximately 95 feet—aligned with previous sonic drill data and heading toward the Baby Blob.

Investigating the Structure

Rick, Craig, and Scott descend into the shaft to examine the structure directly. They observe round timbers and detect hollow resonance when striking certain areas, reinforcing the theory that a tunnel or cavity lies just below. Round timber construction is historically significant, often associated with original Money Pit architecture.

Rick remarks that these elements match early accounts of logs placed every ten feet in the original Money Pit. The resemblance leads the team to cautiously speculate whether they are standing just feet above original treasure-era work.

Cast and Field Roles

• Rick Lagina leads the hands-on excavation effort and identifies key visual and structural clues within the shaft.
• Marty Lagina joins the physical dig and draws links between round timbers and historical Money Pit legends.
• Craig Tester validates structural evidence and supports further exploration.
• Scott Barlow confirms measurements and participates in onsite evaluation.
• Paul (Dumas) directs safe shaft expansion and confirms tunnel alignment.