Nautical Archaeology Workshop
April 26th-27th, 2025
JOIN US IN
TOLEDO, OHIO
Nautical Archaeology Workshop
Shipwrecks have always been sources of wonder and fascination. The documentation of these important pieces of history has been a priority for the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) and the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST). Over the 20 year collaboration, these two organizations have developed a methodical process to survey Ohio shipwrecks in low-visibility situations. Come be a part of our team; take our three day training workshop.
Over the course of three days, our Basic Workshop will teach students the basics of surveying a shipwreck. We will cover: Ship Terms, Laws and Ethics, Research, Survey Tools, and Trilateration (the technique we use to measure shipwrecks) as well as much more. After two days of classroom work, the training concludes May 17th or 18th at White Star Quarry with in-water training. The workshop is designed for divers and non-divers (non-divers assist on land with data interpretation). The work is also appropriate for novice divers. At the completion of the class, all students will become members of MAST and invited to take part in ongoing fieldwork in Lake Erie during the summer. The cost of the class/dinner is $TBD (inclusive of Evenbrite fees) and covers all materials needed, breakfast and lunch in April, plus the MAST Annual Dinner on Saturday night. Please note: this is a three day class - a full weekend in April with classroom and dry run practicals. Then one of two days in May for in-water practice (May 17 or 18).
The cost of the April 26th MAST Annual Dinner (for people not taking the class) is $TBD (inclusive of Eventbrite fees) and covers dinner, tax, gratuity, etc., but not alcohol. It will be at 6 p.m. at the Spaghetti Warehouse in Toledo, OH.
Register by clicking the button below, which will direct you to Eventbrite. Any questions? Please contact Carrie at shipwreck@nmgl.org or 419-214-5000 x 201
MARITIME ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY TEAM
UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY IN OHIO FOR EVERYONE
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training AND HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER
NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGy Workshop
The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) and the Maritime Archaeological Survey Team (MAST) are pleased to present the NMGL/MAST Nautical Archaeology Workshop and Training.
In order to equip our members with skills and knowledge to better understand shipwreck research, construction and surverying, MAST coordinates annual workshops. These workshops feature a series of seminars and a variety of speakers and topics.
MAST workshops also cover topics such as the trilateration method used for underwater archaeological surveys. Along with lectures, "land" and "in water" sessions are given in order to practice using these skills. Additional topics may include ship construction, which is crucial in understanding the ship parts you may be viewing underwater.
Our annual training workshop happens in the spring Tell your friends, dive buddies, dive clubs, etc .
The Basic Level Workshop
if you haven’t participated in a very long time, this can offer a great opportunity to re-introduce yourself to MAST and the techniques and principals. It is also an opportunity for you to tell all of your friends and dive buddies about our great program and encourage them to participate.
This is the basic class to become a member of MAST and take part in our ongoing archaeological field work. This level will teach you the basics of nautical archaeology, why we do it and how to do it. Topics include, Ship Parts, Trilateration, Survey Equipment, and Laws and Ethics. (Class limited to 30 people)
The Advanced Level Workshop (not offered in 2025)
This workshop is for anyone who has previously taken the basic workshop and would like to learn more, advance their skills, and take an opportunity to investigate a site on their own. Please note – we have completely revamped 75% of this workshop and have changed the focus of it. If you are interested in this class and would like to know more about what has changed, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
(Prerequisite – Basic Level Training and have been part of a Great Lakes Historical Society or a MAST survey project): Take your training a step further and learn how to identify and catalog a cultural site. Topics on advanced techniques include Survey Logistics, Preliminary Documentation, the Great Anchor Project, and other special topics. (Class limited to 15 people)
Tune-Ups (not offered in 2025)
This 1 day workshop is for a MAST member that hasn’t been involved in a couple of years and would like to refresh their memory on the trilateration technique. We will be running a MAST Tune-Up class during the regular workshop weekend. This class will take place on Sunday, You will receive classroom refresher on trilateration techniques, and then join with the workshop class to map the S.S. Vermilion. You are also invited to join us at the quarry during our in-water work to tune-up your skills with the Basic Workshop students. This class is $TBD and includes lunch on Sunday, as well as all formal instruction.
In water practice at White Star Quarry SR 300 Gibsonburg, OH
