Visit the S.O.S Land Plaques

S.O.S. is a Provincial Heritage Organization in Ontario dedicated to the
study, preservation and promotion of an appreciation of Ontario's marine heritage. 

Latest Newsletter
Previous Headlines

SOS Project and Event Insurance through OUC
details

 Dive To Preserve
 READ ALL ABOUT IT !

SOS & OUC
2 provincial organizations
working together to improve
 Ontario Diving for you!
Join NOW

A MUST READ
This is why we teach:
leave it where it sits -  Please !

(483 kb in PDF - get Adobe Reader)

Fully updated with Bill 179,
Alvin Clark demise,
Breadalbane wheel story
 and about stray anchors

LOW  IMPACT  DIVING
A PADI Distinctive Specialty
COURSE MATERIALS AVAILABLE
 TO DOWNLOAD

Summary of 
Marine Heritage Consultations

SOS BYLAW #2

Ontario
 Heritage Act
& Changes

 

Daily Shipwreck Geek

This crane ship sank in Lake Erie following a collision on April 27, 1944. One of the cranes used for unloading cargo lies near the overturned hull. Pam Schneider Dan Proctor Donald Stewart Frank E. Vigor View Answers

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THE
 UNESCO
 CONVENTION

HELP
WANTED
become a member,

lead a team,

dive with a purpose,

For Great Rewards!

Membership Renewal time!!!!

If you have a 2 or 5 year membership, remember to fill out just the OUC portion
for insurance coverage that is done yearly per person.  OUC rates have not changed for 2010.

CLICK HERE

Meet with S.O.S. in 2010

Outdoor Adv. Show - Toronto - Feb 26-28, 2010

"New" SOS Fabric and Multimedia  Display debuts at the show.  Booked throughout Ontario in 2010 (  old display  )	SOS crew on Sunday - Thanks to those who staffed the booth Friday afternoon, Saturday (during the board mtg: Diane Groll & Michael Charter) and Sunday who enlightened a large percentage of the 30,000 attendees.	SOS meets with MTC (formerly MCL) front right: Kate Oxley, Krissy Nickle, Marg Barker, Brian Nickle, Paul Chapple, back right: Brian Prince, Dr. Simon Spooner, Chris Phinney, Mike Hill

        OSWEGO New York - March 6th, 2010
 

SOLD OUT venue at  SUNY Speaker Skip Couch talks about his and Dennis McCarthy lastest book "Shipwrecks of the 1000 Islands"	HMS Ontario Ships Plan Speaker Jim Kennard, with Dan Scoville who discovered the "Ontario" in Southern Lake Ontario presented the details and the video captured by "Proteus" ROV.	SOS display in the exhibit area outside the auditorium The second venue for 2010. Many people asked to have NAS classes in NY.

WELLAND - Niagara Divers Assn -  March 13th, 2010  

  SOS AGM - London Museum of Ont. Arch. - April 10, 2010
in conjunction with the museums conference on the Franklin Expedition
Learn more about Franklin Artifacts

S.O.S. NAS Introduction & Level 1 Courses for 2010:  (Event Details)
     May 14-16  Niagara Divers Assn        June 11-13  Hamilton Chapter
   August 13-15  Thousand Islands Chapter       October 1-3  Toronto Chapter

          SOS VIDEO's         

What's Going to Happen to Baby JANE?

NAS 1 class held in Brockville in 2009

SOS Marine Heritage Shipwreck Database
Now online
2nd button on the left column

Many thanks to our database volunteer Tom Wilson (of Brockville)

JOIN THE TEAM !

• Event Coordinator - an organized outgoing person

• Chapter Membership Directors - help members and future members

• Buoy directors - Keep them maintained

• Mooring systems project leader - organize the buoy teams

• U/W Video - send yours in of SOS events

• Call us, to discuss other ways to help

• Divers and Non-Divers needed

• Marketing specialist

• SOS Historical Document Project - get all out Newsletters online

Many thanks for helping out!

• Public Relations - FILLED by Michael Hill 

• Multi Media Project - FILLED by Chris Phinney

• Newsletter Editor - FILLED by Krissy Nickle

• Web Database Programmer - FILLED by Tom Wilson

Contact:

   Low Impact diving means not touching or bumping heritage sites which include shipwrecks and other submerged structures. The wood and steel are particularly sensitive to erosion and damage.  Silt actually preserves objects and disturbing the silt (uncovering) timbers, metals, and objects escalates the deterioration processes exponentially.  Not to mention is it illegal to disturb the silt or even move an object from one location to another (even on the same site).  Bringing it home WILL get you in hot water - and not the bubbly bathtub type!

       The use of U/W metal detectors or side-scan equipment is a form of surveying and may require a license to use them.  Typically a license is required if you intentionally set out to search for something of historic or heritage value.  In the case of a U/W metal detector, if you get a hit below the silt and dig for it, you've crossed the line.  Looking for a lost wedding ring with a metal detector or a recently lost dive ladder with side-scan is a different situation.

      If you witness: anything being removed from a heritage site, or anything else marine heritage related like an anchor or ship part being removed from the water; or any damage or digging on a site; PLEASE ( it's your duty ) call Crime Stoppers or the OPP immediately !

     OPP  1-888-310-1122         CRIME STOPPERS  1-800-222-TIPS

Keep SOS in the loop - let us know too!      

The SIR ROBERT GASKIN suffers a blow !!!

Diver impact has taken a toll on the Robert Gaskin in Brockville.  Two large sections of starboard side planking and frames have fallen.  One at the stern inward and the one pictured here at the bow outward.  This site and many like her will never be the same.

HELP S.O.S. SPREAD THE WORD
 Low impact diving is a must on these fragile non-renewable cultural resources.
Do not touch with more than a finger. Do not disturb the silt.
Photograph & Report - digging, damage & stealing of cultural objects.
 

SOS headquarters address:
Save Ontario Shipwrecks
P.O. BOX 2389,
Blenheim, Ontario  N0P 1A0

SOS membership address:
Save Ontario Shipwrecks
18 Ada Crescent  R.R. # 2
Tobermory, Ontario   N0H 2R0

  CONTACT US:   Chapters or Executive Board Members & Special Functions
Website feedback, new info, photos, events, links welcome! Contact: