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Welcome to Bay Area Divers. Home of Shipwrecks and SCUBA
Kick Off the Weekend with This Exclusive Friday Offer
Exclusive Friday Add-On
Upgrade your dive skills with the PADI Equipment Specialist Course—offered at a deeply discounted rate exclusively for Shipwrecks and SCUBA attendees. Learn to care for your gear like a pro and gain confidence in handling equipment issues. Includes an invite to Friday evening’s exclusive Speaker Meet & Greet!
Thomas Nelson; Wrecked, The Edmond Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy
Drawing on original interviews, newly uncovered documents, and an interdisciplinary lens, Wrecked: The Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy (Michigan State University Press), explores how the Fitzgerald’s story reflects a broader, often-overlooked narrative of labor, corporate negligence, and economic unraveling in the late 20th century.
John Veber, Long Point and it's Shipwrecks
Long Point, Lake Erie is an ever shifting sand spit that reaches almost halfway across the lake form the north shore. It has claimed approximately 200 shipwrecks over the years, in which many were pounded to pieces in the surf. Even to this day pieces of wreckage are uncovered in the surf, only to be covered again at the whim of water currents. wind and surf. But, Long Point also has an icy tomb, where it forever guards many wrecks that met their fate from foundering, collisions and groundings. We will explore wrecks dating from the 1840's to present, at depths from 10ft. to 200ft. that surround this treacherous spit of sand.
OCSSDI and MAST
Ever wonder who’s keeping tabs on Ohio’s dive sites and shipwrecks? Meet the folks behind the scenes—OCSSDI (Ohio Council of Skin and Scuba Divers) and MAST (Maritime Archaeological Survey Team). These two organizations are making waves across the state, from protecting our underwater heritage to promoting safe and informed diving.
This joint program is your chance to hear what they’re up to, learn how divers like you can get involved in everything from mooring buoys to maritime history, and maybe even discover a new way to give back to the dive community. It’s not a recruitment pitch—we just think you’ll like what they’re doing
Chris Roxburgh, Above the waves, Below the Surface, Lost ships of the Great Lakes.
Chris will be sharing new footage from high in the sky and deep below the surface of Shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. Learn historical facts along with fascinating theory’s about some of the Greatest ships of the Great Lakes along with seldom mentioned vessels.
Dan Knauss, The Crash of TWA Flight 800: Life Lessons from a Diving Disaster
On July 17, 1996, at approximately 8:31 p.m. EST, twelve minutes after
takeoff, TWA Flt 800, a Boeing 747 exploded and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near East Moriches, New York. All 230 souls aboard were lost.
In the ensuing days a massive recovery operation would be launched that involved military and public safety divers, the Coast Guard and the FBI.
As a young US Navy Diver, Dan was part of a salvage team that was called upon to participate in that recovery operation of the victims and plane wreckage. The months spent on the dive site had a profound impact on how Dan views life. Join him as he shares insights he gleaned, photos of the dives and salvage as well as stories that will draw you into the reality of the event. Additionally, he will explore the
mystery still surrounding the crash.
Although not a shipwreck, the crash and salvage of the TWA Flt 800 plane does have significant principles we can apply to the way we approach our exploration for the wrecks of old on the Great Lakes.
Michael Passwater, Vanishing Ships, Tragic Wrecks and Historic Rescues
Michael Passwater will present on his second book, Vanishing Ships, Tragic Wrecks and Historic Rescues, chronicling the Great Lakes storm of 1880—known as the Alpena Storm. The disaster claimed the Paddle-Wheeler Alpena and over 70 lives, but she was just one of 118 ships lost.
One of the lesser-known tragedies was the wreck of the J. H. Hartzell near Frankfort, Michigan. Of her eight crew, only stewardess Lydia Dale perished—left on the mast overnight in freezing waves while others were rescued by the U.S. Lifesaving Service. Later, it was discovered she had drowned, abandoned instead of saved. Overshadowed by the Alpena’s loss, her story—and many others from that storm—faded from history until uncovered through research.
Choose Your Ticket Type
Ready to join us at the 41st Annual Shipwrecks and SCUBA Symposium? Start by selecting your preferred ticket level below — this will take you to the ticket ordering page. Dinner Program seating is reserved. Once you select your seat, you’ll be prompted to choose your meal. Daytime Only tickets are general admission, but you’ll still need to select a seat to complete your order — this helps us track capacity and keep things running smoothly.
Full Day
$ 85.00
Full Day Ticket (Reserved Dinner Seating)
Dive into a full day of discovery at the 2025 Shipwrecks and SCUBA Symposium! This ticket includes access to all expert presentations, exhibits, raffles, and a reserved seat for the evening keynote dinner. The ultimate Great Lakes dive experience.
Day Time Only
$ 40.00
Dive into adventure at the 2025 Shipwrecks and SCUBA Symposium! This daytime ticket includes access to all expert presentations, exhibitor displays, raffles, and more. Connect with fellow divers and explore the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes.
Dinner Only
$ 50.00
Dinner Only Ticket (Reserved Seating)
Join us for an evening of Great Lakes legends and camaraderie. This ticket includes a reserved seat at the keynote dinner program—perfect for those who just want to enjoy the food, fellowship, and featured presentation.
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