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 Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society

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



HomeS.P. Ely Documentation Monitoring, Photo Video Practice 2013


Initial Anouncement

S.P. Ely Documentation - Photo and Video Practice
July 13 - July 14, 2013

In Two Harbors MN



The primary objective for this project is to get members out on the R/V Preservation to see how we do things on our many dive projects throughout the summer. 

All participants will have a chance to learn Monitoring procedures using a still or video camera and learn or practice underwater documentation skills.  We can also review and practice other procedures we use in stabilizing underwater shipwrecks.  We also include first aid procedures,  boat and dive briefings, properly using check lists and following the protocol (S.O.P.) the GLSPS has established and perform the proper techniques to help preserve underwater shipwrecks.
 
One of the other objective of the GLSPS is to have new members get involved on projects (or old members that have never joined us on a project) and feel welcome to register for future projects.  We don't want members to confuse us as a good old boys club.  We encourage people to join us and participate in the projects.  As always you need to be a member to participate in all of our projects. 

We will meet at Two Harbors boat launch by the Two Harbors light house at 10:00 AM Saturday Morning and meet at 9:00 AM Sunday, and plan to finish up about 3:00 PM that afternoon. Participants are welcome to ride on the boat as we bring it from Silver Bay Marina to Two Harbors Saturday morning leaving at 6:00 AM and returning to Silver Bay Sunday afternoon about 3:30 PM. Please let Bob Nelson know your preference.

 

A good time and learning experience will be had by all.  So please register for this great project by clicking on this link and "Register Now"!!  Documentation, Photo & Video Practice

 

Hope to see both new and old faces.

Bob Nelson
612-916-8183 


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S.P. Ely Documentation - Photo and Video Practice on the Ely in Two Harbors
Closing Report

This monitoring project was all about learning how to monitor the deterioration and movement of an underwater shipwreck.  What better way to present this type of event but to invite a younger group of divers.  One of our members is a scout master of a boy scout group.  His name is Dean Soderbeck.  He is active in the boy scout troop BSA 820 Adventure Crew.  Dean brought 12 scouts that are certified divers to join the monitoring crew of the GLSPS this year. 

We also showed not only our own crew about how we shoot both still and video photography we showed the boy scouts how we perform this process.  The boy scout were very intrigued about the GLSPS process of monitoring a shipwreck.  They also learned more about photography and videography. 

The dive event was very successful for not only the GLSPS but for the Boy Scouts that joined us.  They found that the GLSPS presented a very interesting process of monitoring shipwrecks and will be back to be part on the monitoring process in the future.

What we found on the S.P. Ely is that:

1. No movement from ice has affected the shipwreck
2. The one inch diameter support rods that members of the GLSPS installed in past years are still maintaining their integrity. No further action needs to be taken at this time as far as the support rods are concerned.
3. The planks on the main deck needs a little work by fastening some of them back down on the deck of the shipwreck.  Future Stabilization Projects will need to be planned and implemented.
4. The area around the shipwreck looks real good.  No further deterioration around the bottom perimeter of the shipwreck.
5. The main underwater mounting of the mooring for the Ely buoy seem to be holding and does not need any servicing at this time.

All and all the ship looks in shipshape.  We will continue to monitor the S. P. Ely next year at about the same time.  If interested in joining us on the any of the S.P. Ely Events, please watch the seasonal schedule of projects.  If you would like to join us on this project, pleae go the the event page, click on "Register Now" button and you will save you spot for the next upcoming S.P. Ely event.

Thank you to all that joined us on this monitoring project.  It was very nice to have the BSA 820 Adventure Crew Boy Scouts join us us as well.  Thank you Dean for introducing the young folks to become engaged in preserving maritime history.

See you on the next S.P. Ely Event


Bob Nelson
S.P. Ely Project Chairman 


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