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This year the GLSPS offered another Underwater Construction
training class for our members and ten students signed up for the class.
These students were eager to learn how the GLSPS performs underwater
construction and stabilization on historical shipwrecks without taking
away the authenticity and the historical value of the shipwreck. These
are very valuable skills to learn. You will not be able to find a class
like this anywhere in the nation. This class is tailored to accommodate
the needs of the GLSPS to assist in the Preservation of our historical
resources in the Great Lakes Region and mainly along the North Shore of
Lake Superior and Isle Royale National Park.
The Instructor, Cliff Schmidt, is a Commercial Diver / Instructor
and has brought many great commercial diving techniques to the Society
for us to learn and utilize to help the GLSPS achieve our goals. Special
tools and techniques are taught using air tools, hand tools, special
measuring equipment, and moving heavy pieces of a ship using lift bag
operation and procedures. The most emphasized aspect of the class is
safety. We wouldn’t be able to perform any of the underwater
construction required to perform the preservation on these shipwrecks
without the safety aspect.
As the Lead and Safety Training Officer, I assisted Cliff in
designing and customizing the UWPTT Class. Each year we add additional
training exercises to improve the capability of the GLSPS and the
students in which we teach these skills. I presented the class with the
special operating procedures, (SOP) which are tailored to all our
underwater stabilization projects.
The ten students were: Steve Steichen, Jon Connolly, Pete
McConnell, Randy Beebe, Linda Negus, Jim Christenson, Steve Daniel,
Corey Daniel, Rick Schmidt and Paul Imsland. The students did very well
on all the skills they performed. All the students passed the class and
will be receiving a “GLSPS SPECIAL OPS” certification card for their
efforts in completing four hours of classroom and two dives consisting
of five different and difficult skills.
The second most important part of the class is to have fun. The
UWPTT Class offered for the last two years has been fun and rewarding.
Everyone that completes this class has something positive to say.
If you are interested in signing up for this great class, please
feel free to give us a call or send an email anytime. Check the Website
www.glsps.org for more information on the class. You don’t have to wait
for next year’s signup sheet! Sign up now and reserve your spot for the
next great UWPTT Class next June 2010. (The exact dates will be decided
during the 2009 – 2010 winter months).
Phil Kerber
GLSPS President
Safety and Training Officer
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