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March
25, 1997
Mel
Fisher Maritime Heritage Society
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MFMHS Archaeological Dive Workshops Scheduled for May
The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society will offer two
archaeological dive workshops in May of 1997, created to
interest divers in underwater archaeology and teach
responsible behavior on shipwreck sites. Both workshops
will take place in the waters off Key West.
Founded
by Fisher shortly before his discovery of the Spanish
galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha, the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society
is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to
exhibition, education, archaeology, and artifact
preservation. For the past five years, the organization
has held well-attended archaeological dive workshops on
Florida Keys shipwreck sites.
The
1997 workshops begin with Orientation to Underwater
Archaeology, scheduled for May 25 through May 30. This
PADI-certified course is the only one of its kind to
offer hands-on training with experienced professional
archaeological divers.
It
includes five days of hands-on experience developing
survey techniques on an 1800s shipwreck, as well as
instruction in conservation methods and artifact
identification utilizing authentic shipwreck artifacts
in the society’s laboratory. Participants will learn
how to develop an archaeological site plan, collect
archaeological data, and record that information on
archaeological charts.
The
course also includes a series of talks and panel
discussions by the archaeologists and other professional
divers who worked on the recovery of the Nuestra
Señora de Atocha and its sister ship, the Santa Margarita. Lectures will focus on maritime history,
archaeological data collection, and artifact
conservation techniques.
Tuition
is $550, which includes the use of tanks and weight
belts, and participants must be advanced open-water
certified divers.
Following
the Orientation to Underwater Archaeology course is the
Underwater Boat Show—a two-day, one-night
archaeological diving tour of a variety of Florida Keys
shipwrecks. Divers will explore wrecks from the 17th
century to the early 20th century, learning how to
compare ship design and structure.
“Boat
Show” participants will stay overnight at Dry Tortugas
National Park and enjoy a breathtaking night dive on the
site of the famous clipper ship known as “The French
Wreck.” The course is scheduled for May 31 and June 1,
1997, and is limited to advanced open-water certified
divers. The course fee of $550 includes two days and one
night on board the dive vessel with meals, use of tanks
and weight belts, and instructional materials.
Because
of the high level of personalized instruction offered
during both workshops, space is limited and early
registration is suggested. Divers who register before
April 21, 1997, will receive a 10% discount; Mel Fisher
Maritime Heritage Society members will also receive a
10% discount. For more information about these
fascinating dive opportunities, please call workshop
leader K.T. Budde-Jones at the society (305-294-2633,
ext. 21 or 20).
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