Permit Peril

A Look at Unraveling the Arguments Against Marine Archaeological Permits in Ontario

 As a Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) Senior Tutor for Save Ontario Shipwrecks and the co-founder of an avocational archaeology group, Liquid Archaeology, I am often challenged by well meaning divers with ethical dilemmas surrounding underwater search and survey work. There are two hot button questions that I’d like to address in order to educate divers, dispel some rumors and hopefully guide passionate wreck divers into compliance with our provincial heritage act. Please keep in mind that many of the opinions expressed in this article are my own and do not reflect an official position of the Ministry (Culture, Tourism and Sport), SOS or the NAS. Continue reading

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Southern Trail Engine Room

Snow Day!

Since I am off today, I thought I would work on some reports for the Ministry. Was processing this footage of the engine room of the Southern Trail and thought that it would be cool to toss it up on the old YouTube.

Please note that this vid is on the official Liquid Archaeology YouTube channel. I’ll be posting LA videos there from now on.

Posted in Southern Trail, Surveys | 5 Comments

Smurf Gloves -Where to Get Replacements (Canada)

“Smurf Gloves” are those nice PVC gloves that most dry glove rings come with. Named such due to their blue, smurf like colour. The glove themselves are great. They are made for the commercial fishing industry (can be seen often on Deadliest Catch) and are designed to stay supple in freezing conditions while maintaining their abrasion and puncture resistance. Over all the best product for our application. However, there is a draw back. The price.

Continue reading

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Spoon Theft

I am sorry to report that the “spoon” artifact has been removed from the wreck of the Rothesay, near Prescott Ontario.

Thankfully this archaeological treasure was thoroughly documented by NAS students last fall. Hope is held that the looters will see the errors of their ways and the spoon will be put back where it was found.

The historic Rothesay spoon as documented last fall.

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2010 Update -Reports and New Searches!

We have been busy over the last few months with project planning and finalizing reports for past licenses. Our Southern Trail interior survey is almost complete and will be up on the web once it has been filed with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

This year we plan to add some geophysical survey work to our schedule and if luck is with us, locate a new wreck to survey and for everyone to enjoy. We have several firm leads on wrecks in the western end of Lake Ontario. With all the shipping and long history of settlement at this end of the lake, there is bound to be some more wrecks worth visiting. The bathymetric studies at this end of the lake are also favourable with over 8km of open water in recreational diving range!

http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/greatlakes/lakeontario_cdrom/images/a1_lg.jpg

Happy diving, more updates to come soon!

Posted in Liquid News | 1 Comment

Southern Trail Buoy Update

Maintenance has been completed on the Southern Trail buoy hardware and its finally ready for deployment.

We will get the new hardware on site as soon as possible.

Check back for updates soon.

Posted in Liquid News, Southern Trail | 1 Comment

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We just sreated this page on Facebook. Now its even easier to stay in touch!

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NAS Intro and Part 1 Brockville 2009

 Some video from a Nautical Archaeology Society; Intro and Part 1 to Underwater and Foreshore Archaeology Class. Presented by Save Ontario Shipwrecks in Brockville, Ontario -2009. Bryan Thomas and Chris Phinney were the instructors. This was our first class with all GUE trained doubles divers.

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