no MAL,
The pit is solelamente a diversion. The real treasure lies in an underground room further in on the island,
Originally, to access it, a small hidden tunnel led off from the pit, This was either missed or ignored by the original diggers.. It probably was above the high water level,in case the water trap had been sprung.. As a ships Captain you realize how easy it would have been locate it with the proper tools. So many meters this way, then dig down to the treasure room which lies in undisturbed ground, no more than perhaps 30 ft.
Even today it still can be found by using a GPS running a radial search of the pit.
How are things in the Maritime business ?