Skip to main content

 Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society

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



Home2018 Projects Schedule

2018 Projects Schedule



GLSPS Logo                        R/V Preservation image


2018 Project Registration is now available!
Please contact the noted project leader if you are interested in a project which does not yet have an info & registration page.




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, project personnel scheduling issues, or other reasons.  Registered project participants will be contacted by email if any changes occur.







Date Project Contacts Phone
March 6 - Dec 31
Level 1
Ken Merryman - Leader
763-226-9620
March 2 - 3
Level 1
UMSAT Phone
Ken Merryman
Bob Nelson
612-570-3305
763-226-2825
612-916-8183
April 10
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader 612-720-2825
April 14
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader
612-720-2825
April 28 – 29
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader
Sara Blanck, SPM - Co-Leader
612-720-2825
715-394-5712
May 5 – 6
Level 1
Ken Knutson - Leader 612-578-1551
May 12 - 13
Level 1
Ken Knutson - Leader 612-578-1551
May 19 - 20
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader 612-720-2825
May 26
Level 2
(Collaboration with BSA Venture Crew 820 & the GLSPS) Dean Soderbeck - Leader
Ken Lillemo - Co Leader
651-216-8596
651-483-8596
May 26 – 28
(Memorial Weekend)
Level 1
Ken Knutson - Leader 612-578-1551
June 2
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader
Ken Knutson - Boat Operator
Phil Kerber - Trainer
612-720-2825
612-578-1551
612-720-2825
June 3
Level 1
Phil Kerber - Leader
Ken Knutson - Boat Operator
612-720-2825
612-578-1551
June 16 - 17
Level 1 & 2
(Fathers Day Weekend)
A nice ride for Fathers Day!
Tim Pranke - Leader
Ken Knutson - Boat Operator?
651-395-9451
612-578-1551
June 23 - 24
Level 1
Jerry Eliason - Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
218-879-5307
651-395-9451

June 30 - July 1?
Level 3
Lee Fredrickson - Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
612-308-4979
651-395-9451
July 14 - 15
Level 3
Great Lake Aquarium Fun Dives Along the North Shore.
Canceled because of a technical issue and the Safety Protocol of the boat.  (Safety is our Number One Concern)!
*Issue was resolved and boat is now ready for the next project!
Phil Kerber - Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
612-720-2825
651-395-9451
July 21 - 22
Level 3
Corey Daniel - Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
218-349-8028
651-395-9451
August 2 - 6
(August 7 = Weather contingency)
Level 3, 4, & ARC
Jack Decker - Leader
Tim Pranke - Co-Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator

641-512-1046
651-395-9451
612-720-2825

August 11 - 12
Level 2 & TUD
Dean Soderbeck - Leader
Ken Knutson - Boat Operator
Jeff Le Moine - Crew
651-483-8596
612-578-1551
612-803-6476


August 18 - 19?
Level 2 & 3
Open Project or Fun Dive Weekend - Not a boat dive!  Non GLSPS Event!
(This is the weekend of Aquaventure's Scuba Palooza event at Lake Ore-Be-Gone)
Leader -  None Needed 
Boat Operator - Not Used  

August 25 - 26
Level 2 & 3
Jack Decker - Project Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
Tim Pranke - Crew
641-512-1046
612-720-2825
651-395-9451
September 1 - 3
Level 1
ARC
Tim Pranke - Leader
Jeff LeMoine - Off Site - Co-Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
651-395-9451 

612-803-6476

651-395-9451
612-720-2825
 Sept 8 - 9
Level 1
Benjamin Noble Drop Camera Survey - 9/8/2018
(Canceled because of Weather)
Jerry Eliason - Leader 
Tim Pranke Captain
218-879-5307 
651-395-9451
Sept  15 - 16
Level 3
Tim Pranke - Leader
Tim Pranke - Boat Operator
651-395-9451
651-395-9451
September 22
Level 2
Basket Weaving Fun Dive with BSA Adventure Crew 820 and GLSPS
Dean Soderbeck - Leader
Jeff Le Moine - Co-Leader
651-216-8596
612-803-6476
September 22
Level 1
Sara Blanck - Leader 715-394-5712 
September 29 – 30
Level 3 & 4
Thomas Wilson Invasive Species Monitoring Project
(Canceled because of Poor Visibility / Performed Other Dives in the Area)!
Tim Pranke - Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
651-395-9451
612-720-2825
October 6 - 7
Level 3 & 4
Tim Pranke - Leader
Phil Kerber - Boat Operator
651-395-9451
612-720-2825
October 14
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 redundant air supply.
  • 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
  • ARC - Archaeology and Drawing Class Recommended 
  • 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