This year the event will be presented back in-person!
Niagara Divers Shipwrecks
NDA – Annual Shipwrecks Symposium
The Niagara Divers’ Association annual one-day symposium, called Shipwrecks started in 1995 as a small local event hosted at the St Catharine’s Library. Over the last 30 years it has grown into a successful world-class event and has been attended by more than 14,000 Divers and Shipwreck Enthusiasts!
Each year we present a mix of new and returning speakers with primary multimedia presentations on Shipwrecks, Diving and Marine Archaeology. The show also has a number of short presentations designed to introduce new topics and speakers.
For the last 27 years, we have booked the same great location with padded theater-style seating, easy access, loads of free parking, and a great sound system. Plus added touches such as personal name tags, speaker displays and book signing.
Lineup for This Years Show
Ric Mixter has been producing and writing shipwreck stories since he first strapped on airtanks in 1991. He's hosted his own PBS TV series on diving, created the most listened to podcasts on shipwrecks, appeared on the History/Discovery and National Geographic Channels, written over a dozen magazine articles, and has been awarded the most prestigious history awards on the lakes. From diving the Edmund Fitzgerald to hosting the largest dive shows on the lakes, Ric is one of the most recognized historians in freshwater.
Ric Mixter has been producing and writing shipwreck stories since he first strapped on airtanks in 1991. He's hosted his own PBS TV series on diving, created the most listened to podcasts on shipwrecks, appeared on the History/Discovery and National Geographic Channels, written over a dozen magazine articles, and has been awarded the most prestigious history awards on the lakes. From diving the Edmund Fitzgerald to hosting the largest dive shows on the lakes, Ric is one of the most recognized historians in freshwater.
Kayla Martin represents the upcoming generation of shipwreck divers and since 2014 has shared her passion at conferences across North America. She promotes preserving historic shipwrecks and low-impact diving as the Heritage Ambassador for Save Ontario Shipwrecks and serves on the board of Ontario Marine Heritage Committee.
She volunteers as a member of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association Dive Team and assists the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society in creating 3D photogrammetry models.
Selected as a 2023 Royal Canadian Geographical Society Expedition Grantee, she is currently leading an expedition to document the Oliver Mowat, an intact Great Lakes schooner.
Kayla Martin represents the upcoming generation of shipwreck divers and since 2014 has shared her passion at conferences across North America. She promotes preserving historic shipwrecks and low-impact diving as the Heritage Ambassador for Save Ontario Shipwrecks and serves on the board of Ontario Marine Heritage Committee.
She volunteers as a member of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association Dive Team and assists the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society in creating 3D photogrammetry models.
Selected as a 2023 Royal Canadian Geographical Society Expedition Grantee, she is currently leading an expedition to document the Oliver Mowat, an intact Great Lakes schooner.
Producer Yvonne Drebert and Director/Cinematographer Zach Melnick are the founders of Inspired Planet Productions. From their home on the beautiful Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, the husband-and-wife team have created more than 40 hours of nature and history documentary spanning two decades, including the 2021 Canadian Screen Award nominated series, Striking Balance. Driven by a profound concern for the global decline of freshwater ecosystems, Drebert and Melnick have embarked on a dedicated mission into the underwater world. Using cutting-edge ROVs (remotely operated underwater vehicles), they immerse themselves in rarely seen aquatic environments, capturing extraordinary wildlife behaviours, and even discovering the occasional shipwreck. Their mission is threefold: to inspire the public, deepen scientific understanding, and enlighten decision-makers about the freshwater ecosystems we all depend on.
Producer Yvonne Drebert and Director/Cinematographer Zach Melnick are the founders of Inspired Planet Productions. From their home on the beautiful Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula in Ontario, Canada, the husband-and-wife team have created more than 40 hours of nature and history documentary spanning two decades, including the 2021 Canadian Screen Award nominated series, Striking Balance. Driven by a profound concern for the global decline of freshwater ecosystems, Drebert and Melnick have embarked on a dedicated mission into the underwater world. Using cutting-edge ROVs (remotely operated underwater vehicles), they immerse themselves in rarely seen aquatic environments, capturing extraordinary wildlife behaviours, and even discovering the occasional shipwreck. Their mission is threefold: to inspire the public, deepen scientific understanding, and enlighten decision-makers about the freshwater ecosystems we all depend on.
Kevin was certified for scuba in 1984. He moved to the Cleveland, OH, area in 1993 and discovered shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes shortly afterwards. He enthusiastically practices diving shipwrecks in Lake Erie as well as the other Great Lakes. He was trimix certified in 1999 and has visited many of the pristine deep-water wrecks that technical diving allows. In 2001 he co-founded the Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE), which has found over 35 shipwrecks in Lake Erie. Kevin is a member of the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL), Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST), Lake Erie Wreck Divers (LEWD), and Bay Area Divers (BAD).
Cindy began diving the Great Lakes in the early 1990s and has over 1,000 logged dives and holds numerous dive certifications up through Advanced Nitrox. She is an Official Court Reporter for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and is a Registered Professional Reporter with the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), is a Certified Reporting Instructor, and has taught court reporting theory at a local college. Cindy is a member of the Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE), the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL), Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST), Lake Erie Wreck Divers (LEWD), and Bay Area Divers (BAD).
Kevin was certified for scuba in 1984. He moved to the Cleveland, OH, area in 1993 and discovered shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes shortly afterwards. He enthusiastically practices diving shipwrecks in Lake Erie as well as the other Great Lakes. He was trimix certified in 1999 and has visited many of the pristine deep-water wrecks that technical diving allows. In 2001 he co-founded the Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE), which has found over 35 shipwrecks in Lake Erie. Kevin is a member of the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL), Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST), Lake Erie Wreck Divers (LEWD), and Bay Area Divers (BAD).
Cindy began diving the Great Lakes in the early 1990s and has over 1,000 logged dives and holds numerous dive certifications up through Advanced Nitrox. She is an Official Court Reporter for the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court and is a Registered Professional Reporter with the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), is a Certified Reporting Instructor, and has taught court reporting theory at a local college. Cindy is a member of the Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE), the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL), Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST), Lake Erie Wreck Divers (LEWD), and Bay Area Divers (BAD).
David Trotter has been involved in Great Lakes shipwreck searching, diving, exploring and documenting new discoveries for 35+ years. The solving of "history's mysteries" has made significant contributions to the story of our Great Lakes and has provided new exploration opportunities for sport and technical divers to enjoy. Dave's discoveries have been featured on the Discovery Channel as well as in the New York Times, Detroit Free Press, and Canadian "DIVER" magazine. David’s lecture series has entertained thousands of people who enjoy discovery and exploration of long missing ships. Going where no one has gone before.
David Trotter has been involved in Great Lakes shipwreck searching, diving, exploring and documenting new discoveries for 35+ years. The solving of "history's mysteries" has made significant contributions to the story of our Great Lakes and has provided new exploration opportunities for sport and technical divers to enjoy. Dave's discoveries have been featured on the Discovery Channel as well as in the New York Times, Detroit Free Press, and Canadian "DIVER" magazine. David’s lecture series has entertained thousands of people who enjoy discovery and exploration of long missing ships. Going where no one has gone before.
Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg, well-known maritime historians, authors, and speakers, as well as underwater explorers, photographers, and videographers, are a husband-and-wife team who love to examine shipwrecks, particularly those in the Great Lakes. Starting with a double major in French and Russian for a diplomatic career, Joan switched to completing a degree in History. Cris has degrees in English and Education, and a Master of Arts degree in History. Both have underwater archaeology certifications from Great Britain’s Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS). Their maritime history archives are one of the largest privately-held collections in the Great Lakes.
Cris Kohl and Joan Forsberg, well-known maritime historians, authors, and speakers, as well as underwater explorers, photographers, and videographers, are a husband-and-wife team who love to examine shipwrecks, particularly those in the Great Lakes. Starting with a double major in French and Russian for a diplomatic career, Joan switched to completing a degree in History. Cris has degrees in English and Education, and a Master of Arts degree in History. Both have underwater archaeology certifications from Great Britain’s Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS). Their maritime history archives are one of the largest privately-held collections in the Great Lakes.
Mike and Georgann Wachter are the authors of Erie Wrecks and Lights, Erie Wrecks East, and Erie Wrecks West, and have published a Lake Erie shipwreck chart with over 360 GPS shipwreck coordinates.
They have been diving around the world since the mid 1970’s but particularly enjoy the pristine and perfectly preserved shipwrecks that lie in the fresh waters of the Great Lakes. This has resulted in the discovery of over 60 wreck sites. Each year they create a least one new program for presentations to educate divers and historians. They have authored numerous magazine articles and have a passion for preserving and creating diver access to and Great Lakes maritime history. Both have been active in the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST) where Mike is past president and Georgann has been treasurer. Under Mike’s tenure 6 shipwrecks in Ohio waters were moored for divers. They are active members of Lake Erie Wreck Divers and Bay Area Divers scuba clubs.
Georgann was inducted into the international Women Divers Hall of Fame in 2013 for documenting over 300 Great Lakes shipwrecks with her writing, research and marine artwork. Mike hosts a database on Lake Erie shipwrecks at www.eriewrecks.com. In 2023 they received Shipwrecks and Scuba’s first ever “Key Contributor Award” as a power couple that have made “exceptional contributions to The Great Lakes Shipwreck Research”, with “ unwavering support to the scuba diving community”, and to over 20 named organizations that have benefited from their hard work and generosity.
Mike and Georgann Wachter are the authors of Erie Wrecks and Lights, Erie Wrecks East, and Erie Wrecks West, and have published a Lake Erie shipwreck chart with over 360 GPS shipwreck coordinates.
They have been diving around the world since the mid 1970’s but particularly enjoy the pristine and perfectly preserved shipwrecks that lie in the fresh waters of the Great Lakes. This has resulted in the discovery of over 60 wreck sites. Each year they create a least one new program for presentations to educate divers and historians. They have authored numerous magazine articles and have a passion for preserving and creating diver access to and Great Lakes maritime history. Both have been active in the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST) where Mike is past president and Georgann has been treasurer. Under Mike’s tenure 6 shipwrecks in Ohio waters were moored for divers. They are active members of Lake Erie Wreck Divers and Bay Area Divers scuba clubs.
Georgann was inducted into the international Women Divers Hall of Fame in 2013 for documenting over 300 Great Lakes shipwrecks with her writing, research and marine artwork. Mike hosts a database on Lake Erie shipwrecks at www.eriewrecks.com. In 2023 they received Shipwrecks and Scuba’s first ever “Key Contributor Award” as a power couple that have made “exceptional contributions to The Great Lakes Shipwreck Research”, with “ unwavering support to the scuba diving community”, and to over 20 named organizations that have benefited from their hard work and generosity.
David Mekker, a long-standing member of the Niagara Divers’ Association, is Chair of Shipwrecks/2024. He has held that position for the last twenty seven years, and has been instrumental in bringing what began as a small show to the successful world-class event it is today.
Dave was certified in 1989, trained in Nitrox and Cave diving in 1992, and has since moved into deep and Trimix diving, with over 1,200 logged dives. His enthusiasm and “drive to dive” led him into underwater photography in 1992. His photography has centred around Great Lakes shipwrecks, resulting in awards at events such as the Ford Seahorses Great Lakes Film Festival. In 2000, Dave discovered a new passion for underwater videography – this will be his sixth presentation at Shipwrecks.
David Mekker, a long-standing member of the Niagara Divers’ Association, is Chair of Shipwrecks/2024. He has held that position for the last twenty seven years, and has been instrumental in bringing what began as a small show to the successful world-class event it is today.
Dave was certified in 1989, trained in Nitrox and Cave diving in 1992, and has since moved into deep and Trimix diving, with over 1,200 logged dives. His enthusiasm and “drive to dive” led him into underwater photography in 1992. His photography has centred around Great Lakes shipwrecks, resulting in awards at events such as the Ford Seahorses Great Lakes Film Festival. In 2000, Dave discovered a new passion for underwater videography – this will be his sixth presentation at Shipwrecks.
Walter Lewis took up diving in 1990 specifically to dive on the wreck of the CORNWALL. At Shipwrecks ‘95, he did a presentation on the wreck, which was subsequently the subject of The River Palace, co-authored with Rick Neilson and published by Dundurn Press in 2008. In the following year, he and Rick were awarded the S.O.S. Marine Heritage Award. In 2011 Walter was named Great Lakes Historian of the Year, an award presented by the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. He is known to many in the Great Lakes community for the website he manages, which presents the raw materials of history, gathered through the work of many researchers, particularly those interested in shipwrecks. He is a frequent speaker on a wide range of topics related to the history of the Great Lakes.
Walter Lewis took up diving in 1990 specifically to dive on the wreck of the CORNWALL. At Shipwrecks ‘95, he did a presentation on the wreck, which was subsequently the subject of The River Palace, co-authored with Rick Neilson and published by Dundurn Press in 2008. In the following year, he and Rick were awarded the S.O.S. Marine Heritage Award. In 2011 Walter was named Great Lakes Historian of the Year, an award presented by the Marine Historical Society of Detroit. He is known to many in the Great Lakes community for the website he manages, which presents the raw materials of history, gathered through the work of many researchers, particularly those interested in shipwrecks. He is a frequent speaker on a wide range of topics related to the history of the Great Lakes.
Canada’s largest Shipwreck Show would not be possible without the generosity of our Gold Level Sponsors!
Established in 1974 by Dan Mandziuk, Dan’s Dive Shop has shared the adventure of scuba diving in Niagara, Ontario for over forty five years. We are Canada’s innovator of higher level progressive scuba diving education in Recreational, Cave & Technical Scuba Diving instruction and a purveyor of the highest quality scuba diving equipment in recreational, cave and technical diving.
At DDS we are known for offering the highest level of scuba diving education at every single level of training we offer.
We teach many of our scuba diving courses locally in Niagara, however, we also teach abroad anywhere our students want us to be, which includes other cities, provinces, states and even countries.
Learn More at: Dans Dive Shop
Newsletter: Spring Edition
Welcome to Dive Brockville Adventure Centre, Brockville's only Dive Shop!
Our experienced staff specializes in planning dives and adventures for groups of all shapes and sizes.
We offer a full range of support for divers from beginner to technical, including Air, Nitrox and Oxygen fills, a full gear rental department, gear service, as well as dive equipment and accessories for sale.
We are rebreather friendly and have some staff members who may know a thing or two...
For adventures around the St. Lawrence River we can provide Bicycles, Canoes, Kayaks and Paddle boards rentals. Plus snorkeling expeditions for the whole family!
Learn More at: Brockville Adventure Centre
We love diving!
AquaSub Scuba Diving Centre Inc.
Jessica & Norbert started AquaSub from the ground up in 2002 with the first location on Bayview Avenue. It was and still is their passion for scuba diving that is the heart of AquaSub.
Since 2002 they've grown AquaSub from a small dive shop into a successful PADI 5 star Instructor Development facility. Along the way they've met lots of wonderful people and introduced more than 12,000 people to the exciting world of scuba.
In July of 2018, Jessica retired from the shop and Tyler joined as Norbert's new partner. Jessica will continue to teach a variety of scuba training courses with AquaSub but will be spending her well earned time off sailing.
Learn More at: AquaSub
ABOUT OCEAN QUEST ADVENTURES
OCEAN QUEST was established in 1997 with the aim of providing high quality service to the scuba diving community within Newfoundland and Labrador. As a PADI 5 Star IDC Centre, OCEAN QUEST has gained not only the respect from the industry locally, but now has a long-standing reputation worldwide. As one of the East Coast of Canada’s premier scuba diving facilities, we offer quality service for the recreational, technical and cave diving community.
COME EXPLORE WITH US
With exclusive wreck diving charters to the Bell Island Shipwrecks and surrounding areas, we provide safe and high quality experiences to all of our guests. With over 20 years of combined experience, we guarantee the highest standards of quality in terms of teaching, safety and services. Our rental gear is new and fully operational. All is cold water suitable and in our fleet to ensure your comfort.
So start your PADI Adventure with us today, get diving and change your life. Our dynamic team is here to assist you step by step…What are you waiting for?
Located at Lewis Street and the beautiful Niagara River in Fort Erie, Ontario, map our building was originally constructed in 1902 as a municipal water pumping station. Today, it is owned by the membership and functions primarily as a scuba club.
The FEURU was originally founded in 1961 to facilitate the recovery of persons and property lost in the area watercourses. While we still provide the public with underwater search and rescue operations, we do so purely on a voluntary basis.
Members in good standing have complete access to the club house and all amenities; compressor, tanks, regulators, dive computers, Zodiac boat, motor and trailer and great fellowship!
Membership in the FEURU is open to all certified scuba divers from Rec. to Tec. Family memberships are also welcome and encouraged.
Bay Area Divers INC (B.A.D.) was founded in November 1983 with an initial membership of 25 divers. While membership has fluctuated over the years, B.A.D. averages about 70 club members annually.
In 1986 B.A.D. sponsored the first annual Shipwrecks and Scuba Conference which still continues on today and is regionally recognized for promoting diving and historical shipwrecks interest. Many nationally recognized speakers have appeared at our conference.
B.A.D. is dedicated to conservation, preservation, and education. By supporting historic shipwreck mooring programs throughout the Great Lakes, B.A.D. continues its long-term commitment to shipwreck preservation. Our beach and underwater cleanups help promote the conservation of our Great Lake Erie. Through committing to education, B.A.D. has given scholarships and sponsorships to help introduce those to the world below.
The Southwind is a 50′ all aluminum vessel powered by twin turbocharged 735 HP Detroit Diesel engines. She’s equipped with modern electronics, a 10KW diesel generator, clean and roomy head, and comfortable seating in a climate controlled cabin. This vessel has been refitted for dive operations, and features extra deep benches, a fins on ladder, and plenty of room to stow your gear. All that and she can cruise at 30 knots! The Southwind is Coast Guard inspected and certified for up to 49 passengers, or 30 divers.
Learn More at: Osprey Charters
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