2018 Speakers


Richie Kohler - Mystery of the Last Olympian

Filmmaker, author, shipwreck explorer


Was Britannic, the tragic sister ship of Titanic, always doomed? In Mystery of the Last Olympian, Richie Kohler takes you on the intriguing journey from the rise of the magnificent Olympians to the fateful day in 1916 when HMHS Britannic sank. Internationally known from the book Shadow Divers and co-host of the History Channel’s Deep […] read more...

Caitlin Zant and Tamara Thomsen - Harriet B. Minnesota’s Deepest and Most Intact Shipwreck

Maritime Archaeologists


During the summers of 2016 and 2017, archaeologists, GLSPS members, and ROV survey experts from Crossmon Consulting LLC conducted the deepest archaeological examination of a shipwreck on the Great Lakes. Their analysis has resulted in the nomination of the Harriet B. to the National Register of Historic Places. read more...

Dr. Matthew Daley - In the Wake of Disaster: Lake Erie's Black Friday Storm of 1916

Associate Professor, Grand Valley State Univerisity


In the Wake of Disaster: The story of the James B. Colgate, the Merida, and Lake Erie’s Black Friday Storm of 1916. The Black Friday Storm was October 20, 1916 the day a “perfect storm” hit Lake Erie, sinking four large ships, killing forty-nine people. The ships that were dispatched to the depths by the […] read more...

Paul Ehorn and John Janzen - Lake Michigan's Deepest Dive the SS Senator

Underwater Photographers and Explorers


At 450 feet deep John Janzen’s and John Scoles’ dive on the SS Senator is one of the deepest dives ever done on the Great Lakes. The Senator was discovered by Paul Ehorn who led the project to dive this amazing shipwreck which contains the worlds largest collection of 1929 and 1930 Nash Motors automobiles. […] read more...

Paul Ehorn - The Challenge a New Shipwreck Discovery

Diver Shipwreck Hunter


The Challenge was a 197ft steamer, launched April 11, 1853, sunk by boiler explosion June 22, 1853, a very short life span of 73 days. It sank in lake Huron on a trip from Chicago to Buffalo read more...

Tom Pederson - Solomon Islands and Travel Update on Cuba and Around the World

World Traveler, PADI Master Instructor Trainer


Join Tom in his diving adventure to the Solomon Islands along with an update on world travel under the current administration to places like Cuba. Untouched by influences of the modern world, the Solomon Islands are considered the most authentic destination of the South Pacific. Located on the western fringe of the Pacific, north east […] read more...

Mark Manthey & Jason Schulz - Local Diving and Social Media Groups

Divemasters and Founders of Diver Social Media Groups


Mark will give a presentation about Scuba Squad, what it’s about and how it works. He will give a presentation on a few of his favorite local dive sites, how to get there, amenities, and fees. Mark’s presentation will also feature a map packet on local lakes and dive sites.   Jason’s part of the […] read more...