Below the Grade Scuba

Saturday is the day! Captain John is already here and anxious to say hello.
Come to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival at the embassy suites in Livonia.

Long time listener, first time sponsor.
Let's welcome Underwater Antics to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM on February 24th in Livonia, MI.
They are a full service dive shop based in Midland, MI.

https://uwantics.com/

Joining us again this year is a long time sponsor of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM, Osprey Dive Charters.
Captain John has the unarguable distinction of being the prettiest captain on all of the Great Lakes. In addition to his endless wit and amazing good looks, his vessel, the Southwind is one of the largest and second fastest dive boat on the Lakes.
He operates out of Barcelona, NY and services eastern Lake Erie.
Come visit the Osprey Dive Charters booth and say hello.

Let's welcome a new presenter to our show. Corey Adkins isn't new to shipwrecks or presentations, just to our show.
Come check him out on February 24th in Livonia, MI.

Content/Communications Director from the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, Corey Adkins, will be presenting 3 mini documentaries on recent shipwreck discoveries in Lake Superior. 1st up will be “Lost in the Site of Salvation: The Shipwreck Atlanta. The 2nd will be on one of our finds last summer, the Huronton, this will be a film festival debut. And the third is going to be another debut and a surprise of another shipwreck found in the summer of 2023 that has an incredible story you won’t want to miss.

While not exactly new to shipwrecks, she is a new presenter here at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM. Come check out Stephanie's talk about all the new discoveries in NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Stephanie Gandulla is a maritime archaeologist and the Resource Protection Coordinator for NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, based in Alpena, Michigan. She has participated in projects around the world including the Great Lakes, the South Pacific, Sweden, Jamaica, and the Arctic. As a NOAA Scientific Diver, she enjoys exploring and documenting the dozens of historic shipwrecks in Lake Huron's sanctuary waters.

Discoveries in Lake Huron's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Since its designation as the first freshwater national marine sanctuary in 2000, NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary has worked to preserve a historically significant collection of shipwrecks through research and education, encouraging access to the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. Collaborating with partners, this work has led to the discovery of shipwreck sites, such as the schooner barge Ironton, sunk in a collision in 1894. Join maritime archaeologist Stephanie Gandulla as she shares the Ironton's tragic story of loss, its exciting story of discovery, and learn more about the sanctuary's ongoing exploration of Lake Huron.

Kevin and Amy Ailes are back this year presenting together about Great Lakes ships involved in the Underground railroad.

Kevin and his wife Amy have a talent for finding history. Their investigations blending boots on the ground with old school research and a unique combination of modern technology have proven remarkably productive. With patience and perseverance, they regularly find and share nearly forgotten tidbits of history with the public.
Consistently Kevin dives with purpose. He is a technical rebreather diver who educates the public and protects shipwrecks through his positions as Presidents of both the Michigan Underwater Preserve Council and the Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve.
Together with his wife Amy, they have discovered numerous shipwrecks and historical sites. Although she prefers to be behind the camera, Amy is an accomplished diver and President of the Michigan Underwater Divers (MUD) club who keeps their projects on course with solid planning and a Keep It Simple approach.

Nearly all known routes of the Underground Railroad throughout the Midwest were cut off by a fluid frontier. The barrier of the Great Lakes was a substantial obstacle to those seeking freedom to the north. That obstacle could only be crossed by vessels equipped for the journey, many of which now lie upon the bottom.
Just as the overland portions of the journey were built on secrecy and danger, the overwater sections floated upon subterfuge and collusion. That subterfuge over the water was so thorough that little has come to the surface today.

History teacher by winter, Sailor by summer. Storyteller all year long.
Jeff Thomas is back with us again this February 24th in Livonia.

As a local history teacher and part time Great Lakes sailor, Jeff Thomas draws on both experiences to tell the story of Great Lakes shipwrecks. He finds the small details that bring the stories to life in a story-telling experience that puts the viewer “in the moment” of these dramatic tales.

In 1915 the Eastland rolled over and sank in the Chicago River, killing more than 800 people. Her loss would devastate the immigrant community of Chicago and set off a legal drama that would captivate the Great Lakes region. After her sinking the Eastland found new life as a naval training ship where she helped win two world wars. Come learn the tragic story of the Great Lakes deadliest shipwreck and how it all happened as the ship was moored safely at her dock.

Terry Irvine is back at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM this year with a bit of history on "The most beautiful shipwreck in the world" according to some French guy named Jaques. I think if Cousteau were alive today, he would show up Saturday February 24th to catch this presentation.

“The Gunilda – 25 Years of Exploration”

The last 25 years have seen unprecedented technological advancement in all aspects of our life including SCUBA diving.

In 1998, the internet had existed for only five years. Pentium desktop computers had 16 MB of RAM and 6.4 GB of hard disk space. HID video dive lights and digital video were brand new technology. Helium based diving was still a relatively new science. Decompression modeling was undergoing an exciting re-evaluation.

Join Terry Irvine as he takes you on a technological journey through the last quarter century of exploring the “Gunilda” from the 1990’s to today.



Terry Irvine – Bio

Terry was certified in 1987. He completed his cave training in 1995 and his Trimix training the following year. He completed his Closed Circuit Trimix Rebreather training in 2016.

Terry has actively documented shipwrecks and caves using video and photos since 2000. He has been an active contributor to Quest since 2001. Some of his video has been featured on the Outdoor Life Network and local media publications.

In 2016, Terry was part of an Explorer’s Club team that discovered and documented the steam locomotive CPR 694 in Lake Superior near Marathon, Ontario. Some of his photos and video were used for several newspaper articles, an article in Branchline Magazine and the documentary called “The Ties That Bind”.

In 2018, Terry was part of the diving team that documented the wreck of the Manasoo in Georgian Bay which has since been featured in Quest Magazine and Wreck Diver Magazine.

Terry has a keen passion for photographing Great Lakes shipwrecks and enjoys exploring sites in all five of the Lakes.

Our next presenter has attended our show, but this is his first time presenting at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM. Come and see Chris Roxburgh in Livonia on February 24th.

Chris Roxburgh, a renowned underwater photographer and author, has gained widespread recognition for his exceptional work capturing shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region. His remarkable photography and environmental efforts have been featured on local and national news platforms multiple times. He is the author of the highly acclaimed hardcover nonfiction book “Leelanau Underwater,” which has become the top-selling book in Northern Michigan. This book vividly showcases the shipwrecks in his hometown of The Manitou Passage, situated in Leelanau County, Michigan. Chris’s impressive work has been featured in several prominent publications, including the History Channel, Outside magazine, and The Smithsonian, among others, as he continues to document shipwrecks throughout the Great Lakes region. In addition to his artistic accomplishments, he is actively working to raise awareness about the growing problem of plastics pollution in the Great Lakes, and he is a passionate advocate for preserving and protecting our precious waters.

42 years of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM and I don't recall ever having a presentation on diving the St Clair river. It is one of our most accessible diving locations and is littered with wrecks going back hundreds of years. Join us in welcoming another newcomer to the show this year on February 24th in Livonia. Trevor Larson on “A Diver's guide to the St Clair River”

Explore the wild fast moving waters, wrecks, and wildlife of the St Clair river. We will explore the history and diving of select wrecks in port Huron, as well as the diving conditions and wildlife found in what could be the Great Lakes best diving spot.

Trevor Larson, 27, of Roseville Michigan has been diving since age 11 and has been diving the St Clair river for 14 years. In 2022 I successfully completed year rounder status by diving the river every month of the year day and night. My primary passion diving is underwater wildlife photography

While he isn't new to Great Lakes Wreck diving, he is new to presenting at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM. Let's welcome Jeff Lindsay on February 24th in Livonia.

Growing up on the shores of the Great Lakes fostered a natural curiosity of the unexplored for Jeff Lindsay; learning to dive in 1990 led to a lifelong desire to visit and photograph the unknown and forgotten. With an almost limitless number of shipwrecks nearby, a natural progression into technical diving was required for the deeper and more remote locations. He’s been invited on numerous projects as team photographer around the world as well as being a keynote speaker at Diving Talks, Portugal. His biggest thrill is still visiting a shipwreck or cave and capturing some small part of its essence in a photograph.
His website: www.jefflindsay.ca

Please welcome Mark Gammage back to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM this year. He will be speaking in room 2 at 9am on Saturday February 24th.

Mark Gammage has had a life-long interest in Great Lakes Shipwreck History. Originally certified as a diver at 17 years of age and an instructor at 23 he immediately became fascinated in shipwrecks and the stories behind them, which he could tell through underwater photography. In the past his photographs have been exhibited in venues such as Dossin’s Marine Museum, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s Museum at Whitefish Point and articles and photos published in periodicals such as Historical Preservation Magazine and Michigan History Magazine. Mark was also a part of a group of friends called the Odyssey Foundation who researched, located or relocated and documented previously undiscovered shipwrecks, such as the Miztec, John M. Osborn, F. B. Gardner. More recently he has renewed his passion with his long-time friend Joe Van Wagnen and they have discovered 3 new previously undiscovered shipwrecks during the seasons of 2020 and 2021. They have started a YouTube channel called “Great Lakes Shipwreck Expeditions” to share their new finds and the history they represent.

Happy new year!
Let's celebrate 2024 with a trip to TRUK LAGOON!
There are still seats available on our November trip.
Don't miss out on the best saltwater wreck diving in the world.

For those starting to plan their spring diving. I have openings in a few upcoming courses. Get away from the cold for a week and start seeing the best wreck diving in the world this summer.

January 28th through February 2nd Open circuit Advanced Nitrox / Decompression Procedures with Helitrox course

February 4th through the 9th Dive Rite Optima Chest Mount Mod 1 course

February 11th through the 16th Dive Rite Optima Back Mount Mod 1 course

The schedule is confirmed. Come join us at the Embassy Suites in Livonia February 24th 2024 for the 42nd Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM.

Please share and help get the word out there.

Big things are coming this winter. This should be a game changer for boat diving.

Just a reminder, we still have spots available on our Truk Lagoon trip in November 1-14 of 2024.
Come check out the best warm water wreck diving in the World.
This is a land based trip partnered with Pete Mesley at Lust 4 Rust.
Trip is open for recreational through technical divers.
Let us know if you are interested and I can get you the details.

🤿 Divers! Have you noticed a dramatic increase in dive trip prices? Here’s why and what you can do about it. 👉 https://bit.ly/TheDiveBoatAct

And just like that, it is over.
The 2023 season started with a Michigan Sea Snoopers charter in Port Sanilac and it ended with the same club in Alpena.
We ran on 3 out of 5 Great Lakes and went diving on 4 out of 5.
The boat is home for the winter. We have some big upgrades planned for next year.

Thank you everybody for a great season.

Looks like there might be some weather coming in.

Sunrise service this morning on the Osborne off of Whitefish Pt.

It is another beautiful day in Whitefish Point.

We had a cancellation on our Lake Erie charter this coming weekend. There is one or possibly two open seats for this Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning trip.
We will be going out with Captain John, the most beautiful captain on the Lakes, on the Southwind. Let me know if you want to come diving. 150' range for depths.

I just heard there is one open seat on a whitefish point charter. September 2-5. If you are interested, reach out to John P Clark.

A little sporty this weekend, but still a pleasure to have Sea Snoopers on the boat with us.