Skip to main content

 Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society

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



Home2017 Projects Schedule


GLSPS 2017 Programs and Projects Schedule






GLSPS LogoR/V Preservation image

Project Leaders have mostly completed the planning their projects. You can now start "Registering" for the project (s) of your choice


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

You need to be a member to participate in any projects 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 below 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, or project personnel scheduling issues. Registered project participants will be contacted by email if any changes occur.

Date Project Contacts Phone
February 18 - 19
Level 3 & ID
Level 1 - Topside Crew  only!
Ice Dive - Fun Dive and Class
Sponsored by BSA Venture Crew 820!  Canceled because of Unsafe Ice Conditions!
Dean Soderbeck - Leader
Phil Kerber - Equipment
 651-216-8596
March 6 - Oct 31
Level 1
Ken Merryman - Leader
Joe Musial
Tom Brueshaber
763-226-9620
612-224-2576
612-272-7242
March 10 – 11
Level 1

Crown Plaza Hotel Milwaukee WI
 Phil Kerber
Other Board Members
612-720-2825  
March 24 - 25
Level 1

UMSAT Phone
Ken Merryman
Bob Nelson
612-570-3305
763-226-2825
612-916-8183
 April 8,
Level 1
  S.S. Meteor Scouting Trip  Phil Kerber - Project Leader
 612-720-2825
April 29 – 30
Level 1




Phil Kerber - Leader
Sara Blanck, SPM - Co-Leader
612-720-2825
715-394-5712
May 6 – 7
Level 1
R/V Preservation Work Weekend #1
Canceled - Moved to next weekend

Ken Knutson - Leader 612-578-1551
May 13 - 14
Level 1
R/V Preservation Work Weekend #2
Ken Knutson - Leader 612-578-1551
May 20 - 21
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader 612-720-2825
May 27
Level 2
(Collaboration with BSA Venture Crew 820 & the GLSPS) Dean Soderbeck - Leader  651-216-8596
May 27 – 29
(Memorial Weekend)
Level 1
Ken Knutson - Leader 612-578-1551
June 3
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader
Ken Knutson - Boat Operator
Phil Kerber - Trainer
612-720-2825
612-578-1551
612-720-2825
June 4
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader
Ken Knutson - Boat Operator
612-720-2825
612-578-1551
June 17 - 18
Level 1 & 2
Tim Pranke - Leader
  Tim Pranke - Boat Operator

 612-578-1551
 June 18
Level 1
North Shore Cruise/Niagara & Ely Dive - 6/18/2017 Tim Pranke - Boat Operator- leader
 
651-395-9451
Pending Grant
Starts After July 1
Level 1
Harriet "B" ROV Survey for NRHP Tom Crossman - Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
 
218-590-3483
651-395-9451
July 8 - 9
Level 3
Phil Kerber - Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
612-720-2825
218-343-4970
July 22 - 23
Level 3
Corey Daniel - Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
218-349-8028
218-343-4970
August 3 - 6
(August 7 = Weather contingency)
Level 5, 6 & TT
Jack Decker - Proj Leader
Tim Pranke - Co-Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
Bob Olson - Dive Supervisor
641-512-1046
651-395-9451
612-720-2825
651-303-4114
August 12 - 13
Level 1

Benjamin Noble Photo Mosaic Project
 Project Leader - Jerry Eliason
Boat Operator - Tim Pranke
218-628-4923

651-395-9451
August 19 - 20
Level 2 & TUD
 
S.P. Ely Documentation & Youth Group Intro to Shipwreck Diving
Dean Soderbeck -
Project Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
Jeff Le Moine - Crew
651-483-8596

651-395-9451
August 26 - 27
Level 2 & 3
Jack Decker - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
Tim Pranke - Crew
641-512-1046

612-720-2825
651-395-9451
Sept 09 - 10
Level 3
Phil Kerber - Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
612-720-2825
612-720-2825
September 16 – 17
Level 3 & 4
Tim Pranke - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
651-395-9451
612-720-2825
September 23
Level 1

Superior, Wisconsin Sara Blanck - Project Leader 715-394-5712
September 30 - October 1
Level 3 & 4
Tim Pranke - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
651-395-9451
612-720-2825
October 8
Level 2
(Collaboration with BSA Venture Crew 820 & the GLSPS) Dean Soderbeck - Leader
Jeff LeMoine - Co-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!
  • All divers will need to provide all their own cold-water diving gear including scuba tank and pony bottle.
  • 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 before you leave and before the project starts, so you will have ample time to read and understand 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 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 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 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.
  • The first weekend 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 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 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