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 Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society

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



Home2019 Projects Schedule


2019 Projects / Programs Schedule



GLSPS Logo                        R/V Preservation image


2019 Project Schedule

Please contact the "Project Leader" if you are interested in a project or Program
or Need Additional Information



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

You need to be a member to participate in any project (s) aboard the R/V Preservation.

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 on the left menu of this website for free air fills 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, project personnel scheduling issues, or other reasons.  Registered project participants will be contacted by email if any changes occur.



Date Project Contacts Phone
February 16
Level 3 & ID
Ice Dive on Lake Minnetonka - 3D Video Practice on the Hopkins
Phil Kerber - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Equipment Manager
763-720-2825
March 6 - Dec 31
Level 1
Ken Merryman - Project Leader
763-226-9620
April 12- 13
Level 1
UMSAT Phone
Ken Merryman
Bob Nelson
612-570-3305
763-226-9620
612-916-8183
April 20
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Project Leader
612-720-2825
April 27 – 28
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Project Leader
Megan Meyer, SPM - Co- Project Leader
612-720-2825
715-394-5712
May 4 – 5
Level 1
Ken Knutson - Project Leader 612-578-1551
May 11 - 12
Level 1
Ken Knutson - Project Leader 612-578-1551
May 18 - 19
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Project Leader 612-720-2825
May 25
Level 2
(Collaboration with BSA Venture Crew 820 & the GLSPS) Dean Soderbeck - Project Leader
Ken Lillemo - Co Project Leader
651-216-8596
651-483-8596
May 25 – 27
(Memorial Weekend)
Level 1
Ken Knutson - Project Leader 612-578-1551
June 1
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Project Leader
Ken Knutson - Boat Operator
Phil Kerber - Trainer
612-720-2825
612-578-1551
612-720-2825
June 2
Membership Cruise and BBQ at Spirit Lake Marina - Duluth
This Event was canceled.  The boat wasn't ready - We needed an extra day to complete the necessary painting tasks to be able to launch the boat for the seasons projects.  We apologize for any issues this may have caused. 
See you next year!!
Phil Kerber - Project Leader
Ken Knutson - Boat Operator
612-720-2825
612-578-1551
 
June 24 - July 7??
Permit Pending!
Level 5 & 6
Hamilton - Scourge Survey and Documentation Project
Postponed Until 2020!  (Permit was not obtained in time).
Ken Merryman - Project Leader
Using Private Boat
763-226-9620
June 15 - 16 
Level 1 & 2
(Fathers Day Weekend)
A nice ride for Fathers Day!  or  June 22 - 23
Tim Pranke - Project Leader & Access Chairman
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
651-395-9451
651-395-9451

June 22 - 23 or

June 29 - 30
Level 1
Benjamin Noble Photo Mosaic Project
(1st weekend)  (Postponed because of Weather)
Benjamin Noble Photo Mosaic Project
(2nd Weekend)  (Postponed until September 7 - 8, see below)
Jerry Eliason - Project Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
218-879-5307
651-395-9451

June 28 - 30
Level 2/3
Grand Marais Harbor Survey
Steve Using Personal Boat
 Steve Daniel - Project Leader 218-349-8028
July 13 - 14
Level 3
Jack Decker- Project Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
641-512-1046
651-395-9451
July 20 - 21
Level 3
Corey Daniel - Project Leader
Corey Daniel - Boat Operator
218-349-8028
218-349-8028
 July 27 - 28
Level 2/3 & TUD
Intro to Shipwreck Diving With GLSPS and BSA Youth Group  Dean Soderbeck - Project Leader
Corey Daniel - Boat Operator
Jeff Le Moine - Crew
651-483-8596
218-349-8028
612-803-6476
August 1 - 5
(August 6 = Weather contingency)
Level 3, 4, & ARC
Jack Decker - Project Leader
Tim Pranke - Co-Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator

641-512-1046
651-395-9451
612-720-2825


August 10 -11
Level 1
 Shipwreck Hunting.  (Depending on Interest)  Please contact Project Leader and or Boat Operator to learn more about the event. Tim Pranke - Project Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator 
651-395-9451
651-395-9451

August 17 - 18?
Level 2 & 3



(This is the weekend of Aquaventure's Scuba Palooza event at
Lake Ore-Be-Gone.  GLSPS will be represented with a booth.
Dean Soderbeck - Project Leader

651-216-8596
August 24 - 25
Level 2 & 3
Jack Decker - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
641-512-1046
612-720-2825


August 31 -
September 1 - 2
Level 1
ARC
Madeira Mapping Project - (Phase two)  (2020 Depending on Funding)?
Jeff Le Moine - Project Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
612-803-6476
651-395-9451

612-720-2825


Sept 7 - 8
Level 1
Benjamin Noble Drop Camera & Photo Mosaic Project
(3rd Weekend).

Jerry Eliason - Project Leader
Tim Pranke Captain
218-879-5307
651-395-9451
Sept 14 - 15
Level 3
Cruise RV Preservation Back to Spirit Lake Marina in Duluth Removing / Collecting Mooring Buoys - (Work and Fun Dives)
Tim Pranke - Project Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
651-395-9451
651-395-9451
September 22 (Sunday)
Level 2
Basket Weaving Fun Dive 
(Collaboration with BSA Venture Crew 820 & the GLSPS)


Dean Soderbeck - Project Leader
Jeff Le Moine - Co-Leader
651-216-8596
612-803-6476
September 21
Level 1
Megan Meyer - Project Leader 715-394-5712
September 28 – 29
Level 3 & 4
Thomas Wilson Monitoring and Clean-up Project #1
(Saturday only! Canceled Sunday because of Weather and Visibility) 

Andrew Goodman - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
612-703-0384
612-720-2825
October 5 - 6
Level 3 & 4
Thomas Wilson Monitoring and Clean-up Project #2
(Canceled because of Weather and Visibility) 

Andrew Goodman - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
612-703-0384
612-720-2825
October 06             
Level 2
(Collaboration with BSA Venture Crew 820 & the GLSPS) Dean Soderbeck - Project Leader
Jeff LeMoine - Co-Project Leader
651-216-8596
612-803-6476

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!
  • Any youth between the ages of 10 and 17 years old that has their Official Dive Certifications, will need to have a Parent or Guardian sign the Liability Releases, Waiver and Medical Forms 24 hours before the event.  A Parent or Guardian must be present with the youth on-board the RV Preservation.  A Dive Master, Instructor, Parent or Guardian must be able to supervise the youth while diving.  (In the water supervision).
  • All divers will need to provide all their own cold-water diving gear including scuba tank and redundant air supply.
  • The Tools and Techniques Class completion 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 24 hours before the project/event starts, so you will have ample time to read and understand all forms, agree to the terms and conditions and sign.  If you ask for forms at the boat, you will not be able to dive that day.  A 24 hours grace period is required.  DON'T FORGET YOUR FORMS!!
  • 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 or be able to dive until all forms are signed by participant and reviewed by a GLSPS representative!

Project Levels:

  • Level 1 – Non Diving Project or Program
  • Level 2 – Basic Open Water Scuba Certification - 20 Logged Dives Minimum - Max 60 feet
  • Level 3 – Advanced Open Water Certification – 30 Logged Dives Minimum - Max 120 Feet
  • Level 4 – Technical Diver / Advanced Nitrox and Deco Procedures - 60 Logged Dives Minimum - Max 150 Feet
  • Level 5 – Advanced Trimix / Open Circuit and Rebreather Deep Diving
  • Level 6 - Special Project - Restricted to invitation only because of special requirements  
  • TUD - Tune Up Dives
  • ARC - Archaeology and Drawing Class Recommended 
  • TT - Tools and Techniques Training Required
  • OE - Overhead Environment
  • ID - Ice Diving Certification Required to dive but not limited to Surface Crewing

Yearly Summary:

  • In April every year, (the last weekend in April) we plan a joint above water project between Superior Public Museums, LSMMA, and the GLSPS.  It involves a weekend of preserving and stabilizing the S.S. 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.  If interested in joining us to help prepare the boat, please contact us.
  • The first weekend of June is when all the fun begins.  We launch the R/V Preservation, provide a cruise on the boat and a BBQ for members of the GLSPS. After that weekend, the GLSPS transports the RV Preservation to Silver Bay Marina where it stays close to most of the dive projects.  the GLSPS encourages 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 on 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 above).  Stabilization Projects will require proprietary training and skills with preservation techniques and underwater tool handling.  The GLSPS will offer this 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 up 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, informative, are very organized and most of all, have a lot fun.  So please join us as a member and on a Program or Project.  You could make a difference in helping preserve maritime history!

Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society - Board of Directors,
Committee Chairpersons
Project Leaders