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 Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society

Dedicated to Preserving our Shipwrecks and Maritime History
"From Prevention to Preservation"



Home2016 Projects

GLSPS 2016 Programs and Projects Schedule

GLSPS LogoR/V Preservation image

Project Leaders are planning their projects and event content will be updated as details are known.


GLSPS Programs and Projects include activities for both diving and non-diving members to participate.

Please check with the project leader if you have any questions; most projects will have something to do for anyone!

See the Project Sponsors listed below the left menu of this website for air fill and equipment rental discounts while participating in GLSPS projects!

Please Note: projects are subject to change, postponement or cancellation at any time due to weather, underwater visibility, R/V Preservation location or availability, volunteer participation, or project personnel scheduling problems. Registered project participants will be contacted by email if any changes occur.

Date Project Contacts Phone
February 27 - 28
Level 1 & ID
- Cancelled - (Ice Conditions not favorable)
Phil Kerber - Leader
Ken Merryman - Co-Leader
612-720-2825
763-226-9620
March 6 - Oct 31
Level 1
Ken Merryman – Leader
Joe Musial
Tom Brueshaber
763-226-9620
612-224-2576
612-272-7242
March 11 - 12
No Level
Ramada Hotel, Bloomington UMSAT Phone
Ken Merryman
Bob Nelson
612-570-3305
763-226-2825
612-916-8183
March 18 – 20
No Level
Crown Plaza Hotel Milwaukee WI Phil Kerber
Other Board Members
612-720-2825
April 6
No Level
Phil Kerber
Scott & Tracy Wemyss
Air Down There Scuba
612-720-2825
651-482-0977
April 16 - 17
No Level
Phil Kerber - Leader
Jay Hanson - Instructor
612-720-2825
April 23 – 24
Level 1
Phil Kerber – Leader
Sara Blanck, SPM - Co-Leader
612-720-2825
715-394-5712
May 7 – 8
Level 1
Ken Knutson - Leader 612-578-1551
May 14 - 15
Level 1
Ken Knutson – Leader 612-578-1551
May 21
Level 2
(Collaboration with BSA Venture Crew 820 & the GLSPS) Dean Soderbeck – Leader 651-216-8596
May 21 - 22
Level 1
Phil Kerber – Leader 612-720-2825
May 28 – 30
(Memorial Weekend)
Level 1
Ken Knutson – Leader 612-578-1551
June 4
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader
Ken Knutson – Boat Operator
Phil Kerber – Trainer
612-720-2825
612-578-1551
612-720-2825
June 5
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader
Ken Knutson – Boat Operator
612-720-2825
612-578-1551
June 11 - 12
Level 1
Bob Nelson - Leader
Ken Knutson – Boat Operator
612-916-8183
612-578-1551
June 17 - 19
Level 6
Jack Decker - Project Leader
TBD - Boat Operator
641-512-1046
763-226-2825
June 25 - 26
Level 1
Jay Hanson - Leader 218-590-3483
July 16 - 17
Level 3
(one shop per year) Nick Lintgen
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator           
763-370-8254
612-720-2825
July 23 - 24
Level 3
Steve & Corey Daniel - Leader
Steve Daniel - Boat Operator           
218-349-8028
218-343-4970
 July 30 - 31
Level 2 & TUD
Dean Soderbeck & Bob Nelson Leaders
Bob Nelson - Boat Operator
651-483-8596
 
612-916-8183
August 12 - 14
Level 5, 6 & TT
(depending on scouting project) Jack Decker - Leader
Bob Olson - Boat Operator
641-512-1046
651-303-4114
August 27 - 28
Level 2
Jack Decker - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
641-512-1046
612-720-2825
Sept 10 - 11
Level 3
Phil Kerber -
Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
 
612-720-2825
 
 
           
September 17 – 18
Level 3 & 4
Tim Pranke - Project Leader
Phil Kerber – Boat Operator
651-395-9451
612-720-2825
September 24 – 25 Superior Wisconsin Sara Blanck - Project Leader 715-394-5712
October 1 - 2
Level 3 & 4
Tim Pranke - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
651-395-9451
612-720-2825
October 9
Level 2
(Collaboration with BSA Venture Crew 820 & the GLSPS) Dean Soderbeck 651-216-8596

Please Note

  • Group size is limited on most projects so feel free to call the Project Leader to discuss opportunities.  They can provide a detailed description of the project, what your time commitment will be as well as any requirements for participation. A detailed description and registration for each project is available by clicking on the name of the project in the above schedule or via the Events Calendar.
  • Registration is required for each project to secure your spot!
  • All divers will need to provide all their own cold-water diving gear including scuba tank and pony bottle.
  • The Tools and Techniques Class is required whenever stabilization work is necessary.
  • Since these are work projects, supplies and fuel are provided by the GLSPS.  Food expenses will be shared by the participating members.
  • Each project has a Project Level associated with it.  Please check the index below to see if you qualify.
  • It is required to have your own health insurance to participate in projects.
  • DAN diving insurance (or equivalent) is highly recommended and may be required to participate in certain projects.
  • Liability Releases are required for each participant.  Print, read, complete and sign the GLSPS Master Liability Waivers - Medical Forms  at home before you leave and before the project starts, so you will have ample time to read all forms, agree to the terms and conditions and sign. 
  • PLEASE Note:  If any questions on the Medical form are answered "YES" this will require the second form to be completed and signed by your doctor, so please plan ahead. The boat cannot leave the dock until all forms are signed by participant and reviewed by a GLSPS representative!

Project Levels

  • Level 1 – Non Diving Project
  • Level 2 – Basic Scuba Certification - 20 Logged Dives Minimum
  • Level 3 – Advanced Open Water Certification – 30 Logged Dives Minimum
  • Level 4 – Advanced Technical Diver / Occasional and Light Deco Procedures - 60 Logged Dives Minimum
  • Level 5 – Advanced Trimix / Open Circuit and Rebreather Deep Diving / (Invitation Only)
  • Level 6 - Special Project - Restricted to Invitation Only
  • TUD - Tune Up Dives
  • TT - Tools and Techniques Training Required
  • OE - Overhead Environment
  • ID - Ice Diving Certification to dive but not limited to Surface Crewing

Yearly Summary

  • In April every year, we plan a joint above water project between Superior Public Museums, LSMMA, and the GLSPS.  It involves a weekend of preserving and stabilizing the SS Meteor Whaleback on Barkers Island in Superior, WI.  This is an above water project for all non-divers and divers to enjoy.  (Although encouraged, you do not need to be a member to join us)!
  • Three to five weeks before Memorial Day, we begin preparing our project boat, the R/V Preservation, for summer projects on Lake Superior.&
  • The first part of June is when all the fun begins.  We launch the R/V Preservation and provide a cruise on the boat and a BBQ for members of the GLSPS. After that weekend, the GLSPS encourages participating in registering and participating in our various projects. All programs and projects are educational, entertaining, fun and ultimately rewarding.
  • We offer an Underwater Tools and Techniques Procedures class whenever there is enough demand. Please let a Board Member know if you are interested in taking this class. The GLSPS will only run the class if we have six or more students.
  • June through the middle of October is when our underwater projects occur. As most of these projects occur in or near Lake Superior, a common launch point is the R/V Preservation, docked at Silver Bay Marina in Silver Bay, MN. (North of Two Harbors) or Spirit Lake Marina where the boat ends up at the end of the season for the last few projects and winter layup.


Members, this is your opportunity to get involved and participate! The GLSPS research vessel, the R/V Preservation, will be available for use on many of our projects.  Divers must have a certification from basic scuba diving to Advanced Open Water Diver or comparable experience, depending on project level. (See levels below).  Stabilization Projects will require proprietary training and skills with preservation techniques and underwater tool handling.  The GLSPS will offer annual training for this once per year as demand allows.  If you are interested in any of the above projects, please contact the project leader or any of the Board Members.  Sign up early as projects can fill very quickly if a group decides to join.  Please remember, any of the above programs and projects can be changed, postponed or canceled at any time because of weather, underwater visibility, scheduling, or lack of personnel or volunteers.



We hope GLSPS Members will be able to join us as a volunteer on these projects.  We are certain you will find the projects educational, have a lot fun and make a difference in helping preserve maritime history!