Shipwrecks of Sleeping Bear Featured at ISEA Seminar Tuesday

Shipwrecks Off Sleeping Bear Point

Inland Seas Education Association is excited to present Ross Richardson, author, historian, shipwreck hunter and diver as the June Great Lakes Seminar Series presenter. Richardson will explore the legend and history of shipwrecks, including three recently located, uncharted wreck sites off Sleeping Bear Point.

Sleeping Bear Point is in the heart of the Manitou Passage, one of the deadliest stretches of water in the Great Lakes. This area was a threat to any sailing vessel who dared venture between her and the islands just offshore. There lies a graveyard of shipwrecks in the sand beneath Sleeping Bear Point’s treacherous waters, which is where we will go for this seminar.

Where: ISEA’s Education Center

100 Dame St. Suttons Bay

When: Tuesday June 11th at 7:00pm

Free and open to the public

Please contact 231.271.3077 with any questions

NMC & ISEA

ISEA has had a long working relationship with Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. This has continued this week as NMC's Watershed Studies Class, lead by Prof. Colleen Masterson Bzdok sailed aboard the schoolship Inland Seas on Tuesday morning. The class trawled for fish, took samples of the bottom sediments, hauled a net for zooplankton, and used an Alpha Bottle to collect water samples for pH, D. O. and temperature determinations. They also measured the water transparency with a secchi disk (12 meters). We had very little wind to work with, but we did sail, and it was a beautiful day to be on the lake. A second Watershed Class will sail with us on Monday September 14th.

NMC's Water Studies Institute project finds the wreck of the Lauren Castle in Grand Traverse Bay. The tug Lauren Castle, which sank 5 November 1980 off Lee Point near Suttons Bay, lies in water more than 400 feet deep. For details go to http://www.km.kongsberg.com/ks/web/nokbg0238.nsf/AllWeb/F4F5D670781F6F4BC1257623004BD9FB?OpenDocument

And, finally, ISEA's Executive Director Tom Kelly will present a program today for NMC's new Freshwater Studies program entitled "An Ecological History of the Great Lakes."

Underwater Exploration for Non-Divers

Join ISEA for a day-long underwater exploration of shipwrecks and underwater features in Grand Traverse Bay. Come along with underwater photographer Chris Doyal and ROV builder/operator Kurt Jankowski as they investigate the remains of ships long concealed under the surface. Talk with the divers as they explore the wrecks using the two-way audio comminucation system. Watch as they encounter schools of fish and other creatures using live video connected to underwater ROVs (remote operated vehicles). Learn about the maritime history of Grand Traverse Bay as you beomce crew members on the gaff-rigged schooner Inland Seas.$80/person, $75/child under 18; limited to 25 people. Lunch is included while aboard the schooner. Call (231) 271-3077 to registerJoin ISEA for a day-long underwater exploration of shipwrecks and underwater features in Grand Traverse Bay.

Summer Sailing Schedule Announced

Inland Seas Education Association - 2009 Public Program Schedule

Schooner Inland Seas

Sailing from Suttons Bay unless noted. Please arrive one half hour before listed sailing time

Family Science Sail (Three hours, for families, $40/person, $35/Child under 18) Become a “scientist for the day” as you help monitor the health of the lake by trawling for fish, collecting plankton, sampling the lake bottom and completing water quality tests. You will also get a chance to steer the ship and help hoist the anchor and the sails.

June 26: 2:00 pm
June 27: 9:00 am
July 1: 9:00 am, Charlevoix
July 2: 2:00 pm
July 3: 2:00 pm
July 17: 2:00 pm
July 23: 2:00 pm
July 24: 2:00 pm

July 25: 9:00 am
July 29: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
July 30: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
July 31: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
August 3: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
August 8: 9:00 am
August 10: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
August 11: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
August 12: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
August 13: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
August 14: 9:00 am & 2:00 pm
August 17: 2:00 pm, Traverse City
August 21: 2:00 pm
September 4: 2:00 pm
September 5: 9:00 am

Explore Power Island (All day, for families, $80/person, $75/Child under 18) A full-day of history, geology, and ecology aboard the schooner Inland Seas and on Power Island in Grand Traverse Bay. Dress for hiking.
July 21: 9:00 am – 5 pm, includes lunch. Traverse City–Elmwood Township Marina

Maritime History Under Sail (Adults, $55/person) Discover the rich maritime heritage of Suttons Bay, Omena, and Peshawbestown on a three-hour sail guided by the ship’s crew and a guest faculty of local historians. A light meal will be served while underway.
July 23: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, includes dinner. Suttons Bay

Astronomy Under Sail (Adults, $45/person) Join astronomer Dick Cookman as we will leave the dock in Suttons Bay before sunset and sail away from the shore lights for a clear view of the night sky. Our most popular adult program.
August 20: 9:00 pm – 11:15 pm
August 21: 9:00 pm – 11:15 pm

Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Shipwreck Exploration (All day, for families, $80/person, $75/Child under 18) A day-long underwater exploration: communicate with divers via live video and audio systems as they explore shipwrecks and other underwater features in Grand Traverse Bay.
August 18: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, includes lunch. Traverse City–Elmwood Township Marina

Geology of Grand Traverse Bay (Families, $80/person, $75/Child under 18) Learn about the geology that gives our Bay its unique character. From the glaciers to modern human impacts, we will see it above and below the water. Includes lunch and a hike on Power Island.
August 19: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, includes lunch. Traverse City–Elmwood Township Marina

Invasive Species Research for High School Students: Overnight programs for 10 students, offered 3 times. (H. S. Students, with teacher recommendation. $300. Scholarships may be available) Details at www.schoolship.org.
June 29 & 30 - Suttons Bay to Charlevoix

July 15 & 16 - Grand Traverse Bay

July 27 & 28 - Grand Traverse Bay

Invasive Species Field Course for Teachers: Three day intensive program that mixes teachers with working scientists. You will go back to your classroom with stories to tell, lessons to teach, and an unforgetable experience. Contact Chis Crissman, ISEA Education Director for application details.

July 20 - 22

We can custom design a sailing/learning program for your youth group, church, neighborhood, family reunion, or just a group of friends. Give us a call and we can discuss your interests.

Details on all ISEA programs at www.schoolship.org or call 231-271-3077