Daytime speakers

This presentation will expose the audience to the work and impact of Project Recover. Their mission is to locate and repatriate Americans missing in action (MIA) from our previous wars. There are more than 81,000 American MIAs and five million Gold Star MIA family members waiting for answers to what happened to their loved ones so that they can find healing and closure. Project Recover executes the entire mission set of research, search, documentation, and recovery in both the terrestrial and underwater environments. Their entire mission will be explored highlighting, challenges, success, and the impact around the world.

Derek Abbey, Ph.D. spent 23 years in the United States Marine Corps, serving as an enlisted Marine and an officer, both on the ground and in the air. This included serving as an F/A-18 aviator and in the special operations community. He has been a member of Project Recover for more than 20 years and currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer. Beyond his work with Project Recover, he supports several efforts and non-profits in support of the military population across the United States. He lives in Bend, Oregon.

Oceans do not recognize political borders, so we must work internationally to affect real change.” In this presentation, we will explore the critical role of international treaties in ocean protection. We'll discuss groundbreaking agreements like the High Seas Treaty, aimed at conserving biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, CITES, which regulates trade in endangered species, and the International Plastics Treaty, which seeks to curb plastic pollution across global waters. Discover how these treaties collaborate to safeguard our oceans and why international cooperation is key to addressing the urgent challenges threatening marine ecosystems today.

While attending medical school, she took a year off to work as the Latin American representative for the Cousteau Society, which shifted the course of her career. For 20 years, she collaborated with Jay Ireland, creating an extensive underwater image database, judging international competitions, and contributing to hundreds of articles, books, and calendars. Witnessing the rapid deterioration of the oceans, she co-founded Sea Save Foundation to address these urgent challenges. In 2022, she earned a master's degree in CITES and has been actively involved in CITES and United Nations meetings for the past 20 years, advocating for marine conservation globally.

Learn from a decade of Backscatter Operations Manager, Becca Boring's underwater photography mistakes so you don't have to learn the hard way.   

              Raised on wreck diving and photography Becca Boring has been the Operations Manager of Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo for the last decade. She is passionate about documenting and helping others capture the beauty of the underwater world and has a particular fondness for the wrecks of the Pacific.

During World War II, the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea became the site of a fierce underwater war between the Allies (mainly the Soviet Union) on one side, and Germany and Finland on the other. Since that time, 24 Soviet submarines that went out on patrol have been missing in action up until the present day. The presentation will cover the main historical events surrounding this battle, the process of searching for, discovering, and surveying these submarines by a local search team (18 subs were found and successfully identified over a course of 10 years), and will feature a short documentary film (15 minutes) about the final mission of one of the most successful submarines.

Ivan has been diving for 20 years and hold certifications like TDI Advanced Trimix, GUE Tech2+/Cave2/CCR, etc. Over the last 10 years, he was a key member of an exploration team in the Baltic Sea region, where they discovered and identified around 50 new wrecks. These included the famous wooden battleship "Lefort", 18 Soviet WWII-era submarines that were missing for nearly 80 years, and many other fascinating finds.

Developing safe, sound, and proficient diving plans for operations in remote locations requires a comprehensive understanding and addressing of the specific challenges and associated risks.
Given the distance from advanced medical care facilities, ensuring the health and safety of the diving team in remote locations is a top priority.
The diving support available on-site could be minimal or inadequate. A critical point is the quality of breathable gas.
Another important thing is obeying local rules, laws, and regulations. Diving fees could be needed.

Dr. Giorgio Caramanna is a geologist and a professional diver with over 30 years of diving experience in many challenging environments.
In 2018, the International Academy of Underwater Sciences and Techniques awarded him the “Golden Trident.” He is currently a member of the Academy's board of directors.
Giorgio is an instructor of the Diving Program of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (MA, USA). He is also the author of “Risk Management for Diving Operations,” a textbook for WHOI's Dive Leadership, the Alvin scientific submersible pilots training, and the University of Helsinki (Finland) Scientific Diving training.

Rescuing and Researching the Ocean Sunfish, Mola mola, in New England waters. The New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) responds to ocean sunfish (Mola mola) strandings along the shores of New England. Each fall, healthy juvenile ocean sunfish become trapped inside Cape Cod Bay and surrounding areas as they migrate south to warmer wintering areas. Stranding numbers have increased since 2008 with over 150 strandings documented in 2024. NECWA rescues live ocean sunfish by towing them back into deeper water and necropsies dead animals that wash ashore. This work is helping expand our knowledge on the biology and ecology of an unusual looking “marine misfit” that summers off New England.

Carol “Krill” Carson is a marine biologist who has worked in the New England areas since 1980. Krill is the founder and President of NECWA, an all-volunteer nonprofit based in Southeastern MA. Krill works with the community on many of NECWA’s projects and oversees NECWA’s internship program for high school and college students.

On assignment for Ocean Geographic Magazine for their 2024 DEMA Edition, underwater filmmaker and photojournalist Paul Cater Deaton documents a return trip to the Italian Riviera for an update on the intriguing farming experiment known as “Nemo’s Garden.” We learn about some of the challenges facing the Nemo’s team, the benefits of growing microgreens under a few atmospheres of pressure in a subaquatic environment, their studies into sustainability and best practices, and their recent expansion into America. We visit the undersea biospheres that are the heart of the experiment and discover surprising facts about growing terrestrial crops under the sea.

Paul Cater Deaton is an award-winning Writer, Producer, Director and Cinematographer. Based in Galveston, he works all over the world on film, TV, music video and documentary projects.

He is a member of Boston Sea Rovers, Television Academy, Explorers Club, Historical Diving Society and American Advertising Federation. Credits include The Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, HBO Documentaries and The Amazing Race.

He is a NAUI SCUBA Instructor and TDI Nitrox and Rebreather diver. Certified in Global Shark Biology, Biodiversity and Conservation by Cornell University and the University of Queensland. He was named a Philippines Specialist by the Philippines Department of Tourism.

Rebreather diving has evolved over the past decade, transitioning from an exclusive pursuit for elite technical divers to one accessible to a much broader diving community. This shift has been driven by advanced training methodologies and the increasing cost and scarcity of helium, prompting new approaches. This presentation examines the reduction of entry barriers, moving from requiring experienced open-circuit technical divers to welcoming those with foundational technical skills. We will discuss how these changes enable more divers to safely explore rebreather diving within recreational depths, highlighting the implications and opportunities this advanced technology presents for the diving community.

Heison Chak has been diving since 2002, he enjoys wreck diving in The Great Lakes and navigating the time capsules concealed within Florida's submerged caves. His dedication to the diving community extends to providing fundamental training for individuals aspiring to venture into technical and cave diving.He was a valued member of the 2023 NAUI Technical Subcommittee. Currently serving as the President of Ontario Underwater Council and Standards Trustee for GUE. He contributes to the growth of the diving community by channeling his efforts into shaping the next generation of leaders through his involvement with NAUI and DAN instructor training programs to nurture the skills and leadership quality of aspiring divers.

Dr Charash will give a brief historical perspective on the history of the diving sciences and how it has led to our current knowledge and discovery for best practices in Diving Safety and the Recognition of Diving Injuries.   Dr Charash has been  involved as a volunteer field researcher with Divers Alert Network. He will share his recent experience as a field researcher at the Deepest Pool in the World at Deep Dive Dubai where he evaluated a technology to assess Diver Functionality at Depth.

Dr David Charash is Dive Medicine Physician Board Certified in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine and Emergency Medicine. He has been caring for the Undersea Community for over 30 years. He has lectured Locally, Nationally, and Internationally on all topics related to Dive Safety, Dive Technology and Dive Medicine. Dr Charash was honored in 2022 by receiving the Prestigious DAN Rolex Diver of the year, and has been recognized by the United States Navy for his dedicated teaching and Support of the Navy's Undersea Community. Dr Charash is a volunteer researcher with Divers Alert Network. He is also the Host of the Fitness in Diving Podcast features on Spotify and Apple

In 1943, a 35-year-old electrician defied age and nationality by renouncing his French citizenship to join the U.S. Navy in World War II. Serving aboard the USS Intrepid, he endures over two harrowing years, surviving torpedo strikes, kamikaze attacks, and the chaos of Operation Hailstone in the attack on Truk Lagoon. Here, his ship is responsible for the destruction of several large Japanese ships, including the largest casualty, the Aikoku Maru. Upon honorable discharge, he returns home to his family without collecting his war medals and leaves his story untold. Over 75 years later, his granddaughter, a passionate SCUBA diver, uncovers his Naval artifacts in the attic. Determined to honor his legacy, she embarks on her own journey underwater to retrace his wartime experiences through the Pacific WWII shipwrecks.

When  Kate Cialdea began diving, she was immediately hooked on underwater adventure and quickly became a part of the New England dive community. 10 years later, she is a member of the Red Bull Dive Safety team, serves as the Secretary of the Boston Sea Rovers, and is an active technical diver. You can hear Kate giggle into her rebreather as she hunts scallops in the cold water of New England or explores some of the world’s most renowned underwater destinations. Kate has visited Yucatan caves, Revillagigedo Island, and Bikini Atoll, but her favorite adventure has been exploring her family’s legacy in Truk Lagoon.

This presentation covers how physical and mental stressors are the leading cause of diving incidents and how to minimize all stressors when diving. This eye-opening presentation will allow the audience to think through diving in a new and positive way.

Tec Clark has held elite positions in the dive industry including managing director of the University of Florida’s Academic Diving Program and national director of the YMCA Scuba Program. He holds over 40 professional certifications with over 15 dive training agencies.  He has also been a police officer, dive rescue team member, and forensic dive accident investigator. He has appeared as a diving expert on A&E, The Learning Channel, and Outdoor Life Network. Clark was captain of the U.S. freediving team and founder of Reef Ministries. He is the associate director for scuba diving at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

A groundbreaking presentation that explores advanced techniques in underwater macro cinematography for natural history films lead by renowned cinematographer Cristian Dimitrius. Discover the power of new optics for capturing stunning close-ups, the unique perspectives offered by probe lenses, and the dramatic effects of creative lighting. These cutting-edge tools reveal intricate marine life details and enhance visual storytelling. Ideal for expert and aspiring filmmakers and researchers, this talk promises to inspire and revolutionize your approach to underwater filming.

Cristian Dimitrius is a Brazilian Emmy Award Winning cinematographer, photographer and television presenter specializing in wildlife and natural history films. Cristian's innovative cinematography and unorthodox camera techniques are helping revolutionize the way people see wildlife. He is one of the most experienced cinematographers working in Brazil, having shot and produced for the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Netflix, DisneyPlus,PBS, CNN and many more. He was also Boston Sea Rovers Diver of the year 2024 and his life-long mission is to inspire people to fall in love with our planet through his images.

As a second generation cold water shipwreck diver, I will showcase a few shipwrecks from Ocean City, MD to Long Island, NY that my parents, John and Evelyn Dudas, began exploring in the 1960s and 70s, and that I continue to visit and explore today. This presentation that will share stories and photos of the of discoveries of a few significant wrecks, such as the USS Moonstone, tanker India Arrow, SS Northern Pacific along with my modern visits to these wrecks over the last 25 years.

Raised in a diving family, Mike Dudas began wreck diving at the age of 14. Through the charters of his family dive shop, Dudas Diving Duds, Mike dived shipwrecks from North Carolina to New York including the Andrea Doria. This passion for wreck diving has extended to exploring shipwrecks around the world from Grenada, Vanuatu to New Zealand and included a 2 year stint guiding divers in Bikini Atoll. As recently as this past year Mike continues to explore new wrecks such off the Nantucket Shoals with the D/V Tenacious team.

Torpedo boats were a frightening innovation during the epitome of fleet upon fleet naval warfare. These smaller, faster and cheaper craft dedicated to the use of the evolved torpedo added real complication to fleet tactics during World War One. Superior in numbers within Germany’s High Seas Fleet, they made up more than two-thirds of the ships interned in Scapa Flow as part of the November 1918 Armistice. Three wrecks remain in shallow water: the V83, S54, and S36. Each has it’s own unique story in the conflict, scuttling and salvage. Each is a pleasant, accessible, and exciting Orkney diving experience.

Tom Easop has been diving for forty-five years, exploring and photographing the underwater realm throughout the world. Since graduating from Brooks Institute of Photography, he has operated his own commercial studio since 1986. In addition to creating subsea images for the usual media, Tom is a master printmaker. His works grace the homes, offices and galleries of collectors and museums internationally. Known also as an underwater camera builder and self-publisher, his photographic project, The Guns and Armour of Scapa Flow, is a coffee table book. What’s next? Developing a new subsea large format camera with the greatest underwater optics ever.

The Shipwrecks of Martha's Vineyard & the Elizabeth Islands The maritime history of Martha’s Vineyard is vast and fascinating. Among the storied shipwrecks, the tale of the 1918 freighter Port Hunter, a shipwreck that caused a congressional inquiry when over $1,000,000 of her military cargo went missing, salvaged by Vineyard residents. The loss of the 6-masters Ruth E. Merrill and Mertie B. Cowley, two of the greatest sailing ships ever built, A dozen ships that met their demise on a dangerous rock reef off Cuttyhunk. The shipwrecks of Pasque and Nashon Islands. A Rumrunner who sank with her load of illegal booze aboard. The Trojan, a freighter that went to the bottom with a cargo of glass bottles.

Don Ferris over the past 45 years, has trained over 3000 people to scuba dive on Cape Cod. While doing so, I literally wrote the book on scuba diving on Cape Cod, (four books actually) ‘Exploring The Waters of Cape Cod’, ‘Beneath The Waters of Massachusetts Bay’, ‘Beneath The Waters Of Cape Cod’,  “Cape Cod’s Anthology of Shipwrecks” and my newest books, “Don Ferris Diving Guide to Massachusetts”, "Candles For the Trenches", and The Shipwrecks Of "Martha's Vineyard & the Elizabeth Islands".

Join this uncovering of  the secrets and stories hidden beneath the waves of Martha’s Vineyard.

Join Schoolyard Films as we explore innovative solutions to plastic pollution, from scientific research on plastic-eating organisms to activists preventing waste from entering oceans. Bulk stores promote reusable containers, while young changemakers engage policymakers and CEOs with impactful – and surprising – results! The ultimate goal: “turn off the tap” of plastic production. Inspired by award-winning filmmaker Tom Fitz, discover how lifestyle changes, activism, and community efforts can protect our blue planet, its delicate oceans, and its magnificent wildlife.

              Amy Giannotti is a marine ecologist and proudly represents Schoolyard Films as their Director of Development. Amy’s love of the sea spans generations, as her great-great grandfather was a prominent captain of sailing ships from Cape Cod during the 1800s. Amy has a B.S. in biology from Marietta College and a M.S. in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia. She has extensive experience in freshwater and marine environments, including underwater caves and problems with invasive species.

Caribbean coral reefs have experienced dramatic changes over the past few decades, driven by both natural and human-induced factors. Once thriving ecosystems, these reefs now face increasing pressures from climate change, particularly marine heatwaves that are growing in both frequency and intensity. The extreme ocean temperatures recorded during 2023/2024 triggered the fourth global bleaching event, underscoring the vulnerability of coral ecosystems to rising temperatures. In response to this heatwave, the reefs of Little Cayman —an isolated and well-protected ecosystem— experienced dramatic changes in coral cover and species composition which will have implication for overall reef function. Similarly, well established coral nurseries suffered from near complete mortality. Here I will explore these changes in the context of long-term monitoring data and examine the cascading effects on the future success of restoration efforts. Finally, I will discuss emerging strategies to identify and protect potential climate refuges, such as deeper reefs and offshore seamounts, which may serve as sanctuaries for coral species and provide hope for sustaining these vital ecosystems amid rapid environmental change.

Dr. Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley received her PhD from Harvard University in 2009 where she studied the evolution of corals across the Caribbean. She subsequently held postdoctoral positions in Florida and Italy, before settling at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. During her time at BIOS she became heavily involved with studying the invasive lionfish, a project that led her to technical diving as they discovered dense aggregations on deeper reefs. She quickly became fascinated with mesophotic coral reefs and over time transitioned to a closed circuit system. In 2020 she joined the Central Caribbean Marine Institute as the Director of Research where she lead a team focused on documenting biodiversity on deep reefs, understanding community dynamics, and examining the potential of mesophotic reefs as thermal refuges.

For 21 years, the Sea Rovers’ Summer Internship has played a major role in our mission to produce the next generation of diving leaders.  During the summer, the Intern partners with members of the Boston Sea Rovers and associates located throughout the United States to experience a wide variety of jobs and career choices.  Based in part on the personal interests of the Intern, the Internship provides advanced dive training courses and ample opportunities to dive and train with a variety of dive professionals in a broad cross-section of diving environments.  Opportunities can include hands-on work with professional under water photographers and filmmakers, educational specialists, marine engineers and scientists, equipment manufacturer’s representatives, and dive shop owners.  In addition to the unique time spent with some of our most distinguished members, the Sea Rovers Intern is outfitted with dive equipment (provided by Sea Rover corporate sponsors) for their use throughout the summer and will receive the necessary financial support to ensure travel and living expenses.  

Today, filmmaking serves as one of the most impactful ways for conservationists to reach a broader audience and raise awareness. In this presentation, discover the art of crafting compelling conservation documentaries that resonate with audiences long after the credits roll. We’ll explore the crucial stages of ideation, production, and story structure. We’ll also dive into how to tackle bigger topics and break them down into comprehensive and engaging material, making it suitable for people who may not even be interested in environmental issues in the first place. By the end of this presentation you’ll be equipped to create films that do more than entertain—they’ll empower people to take action for our planet's future.

Madeline Kennedy is a filmmaker who grew up on Grand Bahama Island in The Bahamas. Living on an island has helped foster her love for marine life and filmmaking. Since she was twelve, she has been diving and exploring vast underwater landscapes and shipwrecks. She graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Visual Media Arts and a minor in Environmental Studies, where she made her award-winning directorial debut documentary, Ocean’s Rose, which centers around the life and legacy of Ben Rose, an environmental conservationist and the world’s first shark whisperer.
Based in Boston and The Bahamas, she is currently collaborating on a documentary with world-renowned diver and marine expert Cristina Zenato about her efforts to protect the Lucayan underwater cave system.

For more than 130 years, the final resting place of the doomed collier Allentown has been a mystery. The Allentown was a 250-foot-long iron-hulled collier and on its fateful voyage was carrying over 1600 tons of anthracite coal bound for Salem, MA. However, the Allentown never arrived in Salem. On that ill-fated voyage during a severe November 1888 storm, the Allentown essentially vanished, lost with all hands. But where did the Allentown sink? Reports placed it off Minot’s Light in Scituate, but ultimately it was nowhere near there. Join us as we share a four-year exploration project to solve the mystery of the Allentown.

Heather Knowles and David Caldwell are the co-founders of Northern Atlantic Dive Expeditions, Inc. They operate their dive charter boat, Gauntlet, with a focus on shipwreck diving and exploration. Both are technical diving instructors and fellows of the Explorer’s Club. Heather and Dave have had the privilege of exploring some of the world’s notable shipwrecks off the East Coast U.S. as well as shipwrecks in Canada, the Mediterranean and the South China Sea. In addition, they have made shipwreck discoveries in their local waters, including the USS Nezinscot, among others, and have collaborated on research projects with NOAA in support of exploration in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

For nearly 40 years, I heard my father's sea stories from his WWII experiences serving in the Polish Navy.  Although he passed away in 2003, in 2014 I began a journey which started by chance, and culminated in the discovery of the wreck of his ship, 83 after its loss at the height of WWII. This is the story of that journey, the planning and preparation undertaken, the friendships made, and the results of the efforts of a multi-national team of shipwreck hunters, historians, and archaeologists. 

Chris Kraska is the son of an Irish mother and Polish Father who met and married in Scotland at the height of WWII while father was a seaman in the Polish Navy. As a marine archaeologist, divemaster, and underwater photographer Chris has made hundreds of dives in warm waters as well as on Lake Erie.   As part of his avocational work, Chris has been a member of MAST, the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team, since 2006 and served as the chairman of the board from 2012 until 2018. He has participated in numerous archaeological surveys as as a survey diver, dive safety officer, and project manager.Chris became involved with DWP CARES after meeting its Director while filming a documentary on Lake Michigan in 2019.  Since that time, he has helped shape the organizations educational platform and course structure as part of their education advisory board.Chris has degrees in political science, archaeology, and education.

Krista Laforest attributes her love of diving to her time as the 2017 Boston Sea Rovers Intern. Her work focuses on coral research in Florida and the broader Caribbean, including Bonaire and Panama. She has years of coral restoration experience outplanting corals, assessing coral health, and most notably monitoring coral spawning both in the wild and land-based coral production facilities. Currently, Krista is pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina Wilmingtonfocusing on the effects of climate change on Caribbean coral reproduction. 

The unprecedented 2018 outbreak of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease highlighted the need for immediate large-scale interventions. As part of the Florida Coral Rescue Plan, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission identified the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) member facilities as the only U.S. entities having the skills, expertise and resources to receive and manage corals rescued from the Florida Reef Tract. The AZA Florida Reef Tract Rescue Project is a network focused on the rescue, housing and production of Florida corals affected by Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease that began in 2019. Since its inception, the project now includes 19 zoos and aquariums managing 24 rescue coral holding facilities, including Disney, The Florida Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and SeaWorld, located in 13 U.S. states.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Dive Program Research and Engineering techs are vital to science-diving operations. WHOI’s dive program began in 1952 with the inception of recreational diving and training.  Numerous institution professionals beyond academic researchers have conducted science diving as the years have passed. The path to science diving is not always straightforward and with 60 active science divers in all ocean research disciplines, projects span worldwide.  Learn about where it started and where the WHOI dive program is today, its current projects, and numerous advanced technologies being used.

Kim Malkoski’s experience with the ocean began early with trips to the beach, aquariums, boat trips, and getting scuba-certified at the age of 13.  She was named the 2008 BSR Frank Scalli Intern and currently serves as the President of the Boston Sea Rovers, the first woman president. She works as the WHOI Diving Safety Officer, the first female and fourth ever in the institution’s history. Kim serves every two years on the civilian dive safety team for the Foundation for Underwater Research & Education’s International Submarine Races at the Carderock Naval Warfare Center. An instructor trainer with NAUI allows her to evaluate diver authorization and training requirements for scientific divers. Kim is an advanced technical CCR diver, making her current participation in the developmental process of modifications/testing of current dive procedures more valuable, as well as research data collection with the Reef Solutions group, specifically in the mesophotic zone (30-70Meters). She holds a MA in Sustainability and Environmental Management from the Harvard Extension School and a BS from the University of New England in Marine Biology.

The Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium is a groundbreaking initiative designed to expand the Aquarium’s cutting-edge applied marine research and data-driven conservation solutions.
Through the work of the Anderson Cabot Center, our researchers offer practical solutions to mitigate human impacts on our oceans. We promote these science-based solutions in New England and beyond, building on the Aquarium’s nearly 50-year legacy of protecting our blue planet and advocating for vital and vibrant oceans.

John Mandelman PhD. is Vice President and Chief Scientist of the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, the Aquarium’s solutions-based ocean research, policy, and technical advising institute. Dr. Mandelman has resided at the Aquarium in various capacities since 2004. In collaboration with various colleagues around the globe, John’s scientific research has focused on better understanding and reducing negative effects of human-induced disturbances on vulnerable ocean species, including sharks in the North Atlantic. The research has also been routinely used to inform fisheries management, industry practices and ocean policy.

Filming underwater presents a fascinating dichotomy between capturing macro subjects and wide-angle scenes. Macro filming focuses on tiny, intricate marine life, like nudibranchs or shrimp, requiring precision, patience, and specialized equipment to bring out minute details often missed by the naked eye. On the other hand, wide-angle filming highlights grand underwater landscapes, showcasing vast coral reefs, large marine animals, or the interplay of light in open water. It demands a different approach, emphasizing scale and depth. Both styles offer unique storytelling challenges and rewards, requiring distinct techniques to reveal the hidden beauty of the underwater world in its fullest form.

Nancy McGee is a celebrated underwater explorer, filmmaker, and adventurer with over three decades of experience. A member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and an Explorers Club Fellow, Nancy has piloted the Exosuit, scuba dived on all seven continents, and captured rare footage of extraordinary marine encounters, including snorkeling with whales, crocodiles, and diving with an elephant. Known for blending scientific exploration with storytelling, her work promotes ocean conservation and has been featured in numerous documentaries, publications and exhibitions. Nancy continues to inspire others to explore and protect our planet’s most remote and fragile aquatic environments..

The Batavia, a Dutch East India Company ship, wrecked off the coast of Western Australia in 1629 during its maiden voyage. The ship struck a reef near the Houtman Abrolhos islands, stranding over 300 survivors. Chaos ensued as mutineers, led by Jeronimus Cornelisz, plotted to seize control, resulting in a brutal massacre of around 125 people. Meanwhile, Captain Francisco Pelsaert journeyed to Batavia (modern Jakarta) for rescue. Upon his return, the mutiny was suppressed, and justice was administered with executions and punishments. The incident remains one of the most infamous events in maritime history.

Rich Napolitano is the creator and host of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs, a podcast launched in 2022. I earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from the University of Florida, and a Master Degree of Education from Xavier University. I have a background in television production, website development, graphic design, and was an educator from 2005 to 2024. My podcast provides me with an outlet for my life-long love of history and creativity.

Tasmania has done an amazing job preserving its reefs and marine life. However, climate change is something the tiny island cannot control...and it is having a profound impact on the marine environment. See how their efforts at mitigating its impact are working and what we can learn from their efforts.

Faith Ortins has spent her life educating people about diving through her love and enthusiasm for the ocean. She inspires people and instills in them a passion for diving in all its forms. In early 1990’s, she worked with DUI to develop the first women’s drysuits before becoming DUI’s VP of Sales and Marketing for 20 years. She created the DUI DOG Rally and Demo Tour Program which promoted local diving facilities across the US, teaming dive retailers together while divers test dive DUI products. She now is the co-owner of Blue Green Expeditions which guides expeditions to all the oceans on the planet including multiple polar expeditions. She is a 2010 Inductee to the Women Divers Hall of Fame and associate member of the Boston Sea Rovers.

The dive profile is most important, but there are a multitude of factors that can alter decompression stress, many of which are not captured in current decompression algorithms. This presentation will consider key and contributing factors and the inter-relationships between them that can alter risk. Tools and practical strategies to optimize decompression safety will then be discussed.

Neal W. Pollock, PhD holds a Research Chair in Hyperbaric and Diving Medicine and is an Associate Professor in Kinesiology at Université Laval in Québec, Canada. He was previously Research Director at Divers Alert Network (DAN) and conducted research at Duke University, both in Durham, North Carolina. His academic training is in zoology, exercise physiology, and environmental physiology. His research interests focus on human health and safety in extreme environments, including decompression safety for both divers and astronauts.

Does Artificial Intelligence make you feel stupid? Get smarter about incredible new AI in Lightroom and Photoshop. At its best, Artificial Intelligence works to improve and speed up editing that in the past could be accomplished with mere mortal ingenuity and elbow grease. Lightroom's Tools may be all the voodoo you need, but Photoshop's dark arts can work even crazier magic on your underwater photos. Learn how to harness AI powers for good and a little bit of evil too!

Erin Quigley is an award-winning underwater photographer, editor, and educator. She’s widely recognized as the world's leading authority on Lightroom and Photoshop for underwater shooters, and is the first Adobe A.C.E. certified expert to specialize in  post-processing techniques specifically for underwater imaging. 

Erin is the creator of GoAskErin.com, a comprehensive library of published articles, downloadable resources, and on-demand video tutorials. GoAskErin free online workshops energize a huge global audience, creating a hopeful, inclusive, unifying space for education and advocacy. Erin is a member of the Women Diver's Hall of Fame, the Boston Sea Rovers, and the Ocean Artists Society. 

Between the Baja Peninsula and the mainland of Mexico lies the fabled Sea of Cortez. For decades, fisherman have known about the marine riches that abound in these waters. Today, SCUBA divers can explore beneath the waves of this dazzling marine paradise and witness the underwater marvels for themselves. Jacques-Yves Cousteau once characterized the Sea of Cortez as “The World’s Aquarium”, and for good reason. The Sea of Cortez is known for big animals, mesmerizing reefs and heart-pounding adventure. Join Eco-Photo Explorers as they dive with playful Sea Lions and Guadalupe Fur Seals, explore fascinating shipwrecks and journey to colorful reefs teeming with marine life

                 Michael Salvarezza and Christopher Weaver have been diving the waters the world since 1978.  They have presented their work numerous times at the Boston Sea Rovers Underwater Clinic, and all of the major dive conferences, and have published more than 200 articles in numerous magazines, including National Geographic Adventure. Their work has been used to support a variety of research and educational programs. Their expeditions have taken them from the Arctic to the Antarctic and many places in between.

Diving the Nantucket Shoals is not for the faint of heart. Deep water far from shore and ferocious currents make Nantucket Shoals diving a challenge even for the most experienced divers. Captain Eric Takakjian discovered numerous shipwrecks off the coast of Nantucket and dived these waters for years. During the past two summers, dive teams from D/V Tenacious have continued Takakjian’s work exploring and re-exploring wrecks he discovered many years ago. Join Rick Simon and Eric Takakjian as they discuss diving M/V Oregon, SS Newcastle City, and SS North American and other Nantucket shipwrecks. They will discuss the advantages of technical diving in these waters, what it is to hunt and explore shipwrecks there, and what’s left to do in an area they consider to be the next frontier of North Atlantic wreck diving. 

Richard M. Simon grew up diving and crewing on New England dive boats. Rick is a Boston Sea Rover & 2005 Frank Scalli Intern and a TDI dive instructor with recreational and technical ratings. He is the president of Manta Industries, a dive equipment manufacturing company and is also the vice president of Shoreline Diving Services, INC., a commercial diving company specializing in inspection, salvage and construction. Rick is an avid diver, especially enjoying cave and wreck diving mostly on the East Coast but anywhere around the world. When he is not diving, he enjoys spending time with his wife Erin and their many farm animals.

Captain Eric Takakjian, a professional mariner, has been sailing ships and ocean going tugboats to various corners of the world since 1978.  Since 1985, Eric and his friends have conducted research and expeditions resulting in the location and exploration of over 70 previously undiscovered shipwrecks in the waters around New England and outer continental shelf waters. An avid shipwreck diver since 1975, Captain Eric has been a fellow of the Explorers Club since 1997, a member of the Board of Directors of The Steamship Historical Society of America and an associate member of the Boston Sea Rovers.

At the age of 50 years, JAWS is still considered one of the most influential thrillers of all time. Released in 1975, this summer blockbuster generated fear in many beachgoers - to this day, some will not go back in the water. Thought to inspire the “Jaws Effect,” the film is often blamed for the demise of shark populations. At 25 feet long, the movie’s villain eagerly consumed swimmers, held personal vendettas, and sank boats. Was this cinematic hyperbole, factual content, or something in between? This presentation will celebrate the anniversary of this iconic film by teasing out the truth from Hollywood fiction.

Dr. Gregory Skomal is an accomplished marine biologist, photographer, and author. He has been a senior fisheries biologist with the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries since 1987 and currently heads up the Massachusetts Shark Research Program, where he has been actively involved in research on the life history, ecology, and physiology of sharks. He has written dozens of scientific research papers and his work has been highlighted in several film and television documentaries including programs for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and PBS.

Komodo is an amazing group of islands, where dragons roam freely and mantas soar gracefully.  It’s a multi-colored jungle of life with remarkable bio diversity.  Brilliant corals, sea fans, and sponges carpet the reefs.  Crawling among them are hundreds of crabs, nudibranchs, and shrimp with their vivid patterns and designs. Exotic fish are everywhere. Join the Stayers as they explorer this incredible place.

The Stayers, Boston Sea Rovers Associate Members and Explorer Club Fellows, are well-known underwater filmmakers dedicated to sharing shipwrecks, animal behavior, and remote dive destinations around the world. Jim & Pat have discovered several historic shipwrecks, co-authored 3 books, produced hundreds of multimedia presentations, and their footage has appeared on numerous major networks worldwide.  They have directed several evening film festivals and are popular presenters across North America. The couple have been diving for 49 years and ran a charter boat on the Great Lakes.  Jim is a USCG Captain and Pat is in the Women Divers Hall of Fame. Together they have led an amazing life of adventure

In 2015 I was recruited to join a Greek Archeological Dive Team to investigate the waters around a small island located off the coast of Asia Minor. The island was chosen to investigate reports from sponge divers that there were an abundance shipwrecks in the area. We arrived on the island in June of 2015, and in two days we located 3 ancient shipwrecks with on dated 800-600 BC. After 13 days, we had located 22 ancient shipwrecks. We were astounded of the number and diversity of the wrecks. After nine expeditions, we now have an astounding 58 ancient shipwrecks that have been discovered and documented. The Fournoi archipelago has earned itself the title "the Shipwreck Capital of the World". This season we were joined by a film crew from the Discovery Channel's Expedition Unknown with Josh Gates. Our story will premier in June, 2025.

John Stella is a dive industry professional with over thirty five years of industry experience.  An avid wreck diver, he has dove all over the world, with a passion for ancient shipwrecks. John is member of a Greek underwater archeological dive team where he serves as a technical advisor and senior dive team member.  John is a veteran of the United States Navy and is a member of the Explorers Club, John is also honored to be a member of the a Boston Sea Rovers.

Donald Stevens started diving on the day the Andrea Doria sank off of Nantucket, Ma.  The wreckage inspired a lifelong love of diving in New England.  I opened Atlantic Aquasport 52 years ago serving the local divers.  I spent twenty years in commercial diving, and now as a NAUI course director, I train the NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Division, consult the with USNavy, and other environmental agencies, and am currently working with a team of Dartmouth Drs on physiological events while diving.

New England Diving Year Round in a Wetsuit will present the correct way to dive in a wetsuit, year round, and stay warm, in New England.  I will also speak on how to set up your weight system for proper buoyancy control.

Marine Mammal Rescue - Seacoast Science Center   All marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, enacted by the federal government on October 21, 1972. Fulfilling this requirement, Seacoast Science Center Marine Mammal Rescue staffs a 24/7 hotline (603-997-9448) and responds to all reports of marine mammals that haul out or strand on the shore in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts (from Essex, MA to the Maine border). MMR leads the response and rescue and conducts health assessments and triage while collaborating necropsy labs conduct postmortem exams and rehabilitation facilities care for and release animals.

Ashley Stokes is the Director of Marine Mammal Conservation at the Seacoast Science Center’s Marine Mammal Rescue (MMR) team which advances wildlife conservation through stranded marine mammal response, care, and community outreach in New Hampshire and Northeastern Massachusetts.

Photography and videography are two sides of the same coin, each reaching deep into the creative paths of artists to document and express the world around them. After over a decade exclusively in photography, Jake Stout ventured into the Amazon River to try his hand at videography. Though similar in many ways the methodology, mind set, and practices in photography and videography differ a lot. Hear from Jake as he discusses how he approached making a short film, follies, epiphanies and all. Learn how with a focused concept, cinematography and editing become second nature. 

Jake Stout is a wildlife photographer specializing in natural history photojournalism. A native of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jake developed his love of nature spending summers in New Hampshire. Jake has been sharpening his photography skills since 2009 and has worked across many genres of the medium. Jake began his SCUBA journey in 2017 and never looked back. A year later, he was the recipient of the Boston Sea Rover’s internship in which he traveled around the world doing underwater photography with marine scientists, BBC and National Geographic photographers and filmmakers. In 2019 Jake had the honor of presenting his work at the Boston Sea Rovers Film Festival, the longest continually running dive show in the world, and was inducted as a full active roster member in 2020. He is currently developing underwater camera technology in the Red Sea at the Derya Akkaynak COLOR lab.

Stony corals are the ecosystem engineers at the base of coral reef ecosystems. Both ecologically and economically important, these marine animals are under direct threat from climate change. The Gignoux-Wolfsohn lab at UMass Lowell uses cutting-edge genetic methods to study how Caribbean corals are adapting to changing oceans. Specifically, we study how the twin stressors of stony coral tissue loss disease and coral bleaching affect the coral host, symbiotic algae, and microbiome. Here, I will introduce some of our projects throughout the Caribbean, with a focus on our work to identify and isolate beneficial bacteria for treatment of diseased corals.

Dr. Nikea Ulrich is a postdoctoral research associate in Dr. Gignoux-Wolfsohn’s lab at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She studies the microbiome of corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease, a highly lethal coral disease that is spreading throughout the Caribbean. She received her PhD in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Montana, working with Dr. Scott Miller on the evolution and diversification of a novel marine cyanobacterium.

The closer you look at nature the more beautiful it becomes. In this presentation we will be covering some of the basic and advanced technics to help you improve your photography. Subjects covered are from point and shoots to advanced DSLR’s with an emphasis on lighting.

Peter Venoutsos has been a certified diver since 1976 and a commercial diver since 1983. His experience includes working with private underwater engineering firms, the Federal Government, and the US Navy. His interests include underwater photography, shipwrecks & cave diving, with the goal of promoting diving around the world.