Speakers

Last Minute Speaker Change!!!

BMCS(SEAL) Retired, Daniel F. Ploussard

Joined Navy 1974, spent 3 years on USS America CVA-66, Norfolk, VA.
BUD’s (Basic Underwater Demolition School), 1979, Class 105, San Diego, CA.
SEAL Team One 1980-1984, (3) Special Operations Platoons, San Diego, CA.
RAF Machrihanish, 1984-1986 Ordnance Department, Leading Petty Officer, Campbelltown, Scotland.
SEAL Team Three 1987-1989, (2) Special Operations Platoons, San Diego, CA.
NTC/RTC San Diego, 1990-1992, SEAL/EOD/Diver Motivator, San Diego, CA.
Naval Special Warfare Group-Two, 1992-1994, Leading Chief Petty Officer- Operations Department, San Diego, CA.
SEAL Team Three, 1994-1996, Leading Senior Chief Petty Officer, Training Department, San Diego, CA.
Retired Navy/SEAL Team Three, 1996
Owned Diving Company, Barnacle Buzz Diving Service, 1996-2000
Brandes Associates Inc, 2001-2008, Government Contractor, Mission Planning Systems Engineer for Naval Special Warfare/SEAL, Norfolk, VA.
Xe, 2008-2010, SEAL/SWCC/EOD/Diver/AIRR, Mentor/Trainer, Eagan, MN.

Curt Brown tells the story "So Terrible a Storm: A Tale of Fury on Lake Superior"

It was Thanksgiving 1905 and dozens of ships were on Lake Superior, making the season’s last, daring run, a run Duluth’s forecasters had warned against, only to be ignored by the boat captains, under fire from shipping company bosses to enhance profits. What none of them knew until it was far too late was that they would soon face one of the worst storms ever to hit the Great Lakes.

Lady Elgin: Titanic of the Great Lakes:

Join marine historian Brendon Baillod as he explores the history, mythology and archeology of the legendary and tragic Lake steamer Lady Elgin. Lost in 1860 off Illinois with over 400 lives, the disaster remains the deadliest sinking in Great Lakes history. The talk provides a glimpse into the lives of the many different classes of people who were on the ship and reviews her role in Wisconsin's Civil War politics. Baillod will discuss the central part the ship has played in effecting 21st century Great Lakes shipwreck policy and by permission of the wreck's owner, Harry Zych, Baillod will give an archeological overview of the wrecksite.

Caleb Gilkerson grew up in central South Dakota, and has spent his whole life on or below the waters of the Missouri River.

With his brother Josh, he owns and operates Steamboat’s Inc out of Pierre SD. In 2000, he also started South Dakota's first paddling charter guide service, Dakota Adventures.
During the summer months, Caleb is busy running his professional spear fishing charter service on Lake Oahe, a full service dive shop, Steamboats Skin and Scuba as well as Dakota Adventures.
He is a local expert who knows where, when, and how to shoot game fish such as walleye. Caleb loves sharing his passion for South Dakota's best kept secret, Pierre South Dakota! He has been featured in both TV shows and news and has also been published in local, national, and international magazines

WHERE IS THE POLLY? Randy Beebe talks about the search for one of Alaska’s most storied ships, the Russian-built gunboat Politkofsky and the Yukon River stern-wheel steamer graveyard.

Built in Russian-America in 1863 the humble side-wheel steamer Politkofsky became one the most historic ships in Alaska history, in her long career she witnessed the days of the Russian fur trade, the Klondike gold rush and the transfer of Alaska to the United States. This presentation discusses this seasons search for the hull of the Politkofsky, some of her roles in Alaska history and a harrowing 4000 mile journey from Puget Sound to her final resting place in Norton Sound. Randy will also share photographs of the teams visit to the “stern-wheeler graveyard” near the village of Saint Michaels where thousands of sourdoughs began their journey up the Yukon River to the Klondike gold fields.

Myron Haynes talks about the Dream Trip of a Lifetime

Learn about two of the top 3 dive destinations in Micronesia. Palau and Yap. See all the things you've been missing underwater! Spectacular wall drift diving in Palau where no matter where you look the ocean or the reef you’re bound to miss something as beauty and splendor of the #1 Underwater wonder of the world unfolds in front of your mask. Then we move on to Yap with GIANT Manta Rays just a breath away as they swim and hover around you. But that's not all! I had the fastest 60 minute dive of my life in Yap looking for fish no bigger than 2 to 3 inches. Now I know why I have become a Yapaholic!

After starting Northland Divers in 1981 in Maplewood, MN, the store was moved in 2005 to its current location in Woodbury, on the South Side of 94 between 494/694 and Radio Drive. With a focus on Pacific travel, we have since taken 100’s of divers to diverse locations around the world. These include Truk Lagoon, Palau, Yap, Saipan, Ulithi, Kosrae, Australia, Bali Indonesia, Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga and the Philippines. Many locations in the Caribbean like Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman, Roatan Honduras, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Dominica and the Bahamas were also destinations. Before a trip is offered, a thorough checkout of services and related activities is completed to assure a memorable experience will be had by all.

If you want to turn your mask into a kaleidoscope of color from rich sea fans to neon colored blemies; dive with sharks on almost every dive and see up to 700 different species of coral and 1500 different species of fish; see Manta’s and Pigmy Sea Horses; dive with Minke Whales and do it all in warm ocean water with white sandy beaches, and warm sea breezes, all of this can be yours. You owe yourself that “Once in a Life Time Dream Vacation”. Northland Divers can take you there.