2022 R/V Preservation - Cruise
Back to Duluth's Spirit Lake Marina
September 17, 18, 2022
Every year the RV Preservation is cruised up and back the North Shore of Lake Superior to it's final summer destination and slip, at Silver Bay Marina. Then it is cruised back to Spirit Lake Marina for two more projects and then winter layup.
The GLSPS Board of Directors and project leaders decided it would be best to keep the vessel centrally located to most of the projects scheduled for the season in Silver Bay. Then when the season is over in that area in September, we cruise it back to Duluth to Spirit Lake Marina to finish up the projects schedule for the Duluth area and then pull the boat out for winter layup in October.
Because this is a two day event each way, the GLSPS decided to make it a cruise that both the non diving and diving membership could enjoy. Please click Here to learn more about the events.
On the way up the north shore, GLSPS volunteer divers of the Access Committee install the shipwreck mooring buoys and conduct any repairs needed to the moorings. Mooring buoys are installed by the access committee and are there for boats to moor on while scuba diving the shipwrecks. On the way back the participants that are divers help remove the mooring buoys for winter storage.
Please see "Wreck / Dive Sites" Page of the GLSPS website to check the dates which the shipwreck mooring buoy's are both installed and removed again.
Please join us for these really adventurous cruises. We have a great time cruising, diving, eating, comradeship, installing and removing the shipwreck mooring buoys. You will have a great time on this event.
Hope to see some new faces this year.
Tim Pranke
Project leader
Access Committee Chairman
dirttrackin2001@yahoo.com
651-395-9451
Corey Daniel
Captain - RV Preservation
heygadgetman@yahoo.com
218-343-4970
Closing Report:
GLSPS 2022 Buoy retrieval and R/V Preservation cruise back to Spirit Lake
Friday evening. Dale K, Andrew G, Tim P and Corey D all met up at the R/V Preservation at Spirit Lake Marina. Loading gear, equipment, and supplies for the weekend adventure to begin the following morning. Wind was blowing hard out of the North.
Saturday morning. Wind still blowing hard. Thick fog. The crew waited out 2 rain and possible thunderstorms. We got rain. Both times. Ran to town, bought some supplies for a surface marker for the stern of the Madeira and attempted to replace the spotlight switch. The weather cleared and the R/V Preservation departed Silver Bay Marina around 1pm, headed for the Madeira shipwreck site. Moored the “RV Preservation” on the bow buoy as the Sol Mates II dive charter boat was already tied to the stern. Tim P and Andrew G dove and filmed areas of the wreck for a separate photogrammetry project. Corey D swam the wreck with a dual camera setup devised by Jerry Eliason for a 3D film project. The lake was fairly calm and the water was much warmer now than the last time this crew was there in June, installing the buoy’s. The GLSPS did not remove the Hesper or Madeira buoy’s this year. Hanz Lehrke, owner and captain of Sol Mates II (SolMates Dive Charters) approached the GLSPS about leaving them in longer and offered to remove them in October instead. All went as planned, Thank you Hanz! Buoys are now stowed for the winter and there is a surface float on the stern of the Madeira for those still wanting to visit. The crew aboard the R/V Preservation finished their dives and proceeded to Two Harbors.
Saturday evening. Arrived at the Ely wreck in Agate Bay,Two Harbors. Andrew G dove the Ely in the dark to film the wreck for Photogrammetry, Corey D also diving with 3D cameras, and Tim P snorkeling on the surface. The visibility was very poor and after everyone was on board the crew headed for the break wall on the other side of the bay. Tim P made a great batch of spaghetti and everyone settled in for the evening.
Sunday Morning. The day began before 4am with the arrival of the Arthur Anderson Great Lakes Ship. Tim P had informed everyone of its early morning arrival and all but Andrew G woke early for the occasion. Later in the morning Andrew G attempted another dive on the Ely but the visibility had not improved. The buoy was removed and the Preservation headed for Knife Island. Corey D and Andrew G dove the Niagra Shipwreck on Knife Island, more photogrammetry and 3D filming. After getting the stuck anchor free the crew headed for Duluth. A nice grilled hamburger lunch was enjoyed thanks to Dale K and Andrew G. After a brief stop for fuel at Lake Head Marina, the R/V Preservation arrived at Spirit Lake Marina. The boat was cleaned and prepped for the next trip, Dale K waited for his ride. Corey D drove Tim P and Andrew G to Silver Bay to retrieve their vehicles.
Long day indeed. Fun weekend and favorable weather on the big Lake.
Thank you to everyone who helped this weekend and for your contributions to this organization to research, document and report shipwreck history along the North Shore.
Corey Daniel