U.S. Coast Guard cutter Itasca

Shown here is the U.S. Coast Cuard cutter Itasca, which was the last ship to be in radio contact with Earhart's plane before it vanished.

The Niku VII, which sets sail tomorrow, is the high-tech deep water search expedition TIGHAR has long wanted to do but could never afford, it says. Follow daily reports from the expedition here.