Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival TM

03/04/2026

If last weekend wasn't enough, don't forget the Ghost Ships Festival this weekend in Wisconsin.

03/02/2026

It was a great show. That was only possible because of you. The attendees, the exhibitors, the presenters, everybody. Thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing you back next year.

To hold you over in the meantime, be sure to check out the Ghost Ships festival over in Wisconsin next weekend.

Ghost Ships Festival 2026

02/28/2026

Today is the day!
Come on out to the Detroit Marriott Livonia!

This Saturday in Livonia (just north of the Motor City!)- Treasure ships, German U-boats, recent discoveries in lakes Michigan, Superior and Erie. I don't know how you'll ever decide between the dozen speakers, but if you love history and searching underwater- this is the place. Party starts at 9 with stories on the tanker Argo and I'll be next door with sole survivor stories!

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

Five days until showtime!
Online ticket sales end Wednesday. Save $5 by ordering online.
Don't miss us on Saturday February 28th at the Detroit Marriott Livonia.

Photo by Chris Roxburgh, One of our many talented presenters this year.

01/30/2026

It is a new day, that calls for a new presenter.
Andrea Yoxsimer is a new presenter for the Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival. Come listen to her speak about photogrammetry on Saturday February 28th at the Detroit Marriot - Livonia.
Andrea Yoxsimer serves as a Resource Protection Specialist at Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where she helps oversee the management and preservation of underwater cultural heritage. Her research integrates advanced visualization and survey technologies, specifically leveraging photogrammetry for site documentation and multibeam mapping to characterize lakebed environments. Andrea previously served as a hydrographer aboard NOAA Ship Rainier, conducting extensive mapping operations across American Samoa and the South Pacific. She holds an M.A. in Maritime Archaeology from East Carolina University, as well as a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Nevada Reno.

01/29/2026

Our next presenter at the 44th Great Lakes Shipwreck Festival on February 28th is Jeff Thomas.
In May of 1953, the freighter Henry Steinbrenner sank in a storm on Lake Superior with the loss of 17 sailors. However, her story has largely been overlooked after the initial headlines immediately following her sinking. Come learn about her loss and the dramatic rescue of 16 of her crew and remember a veteran lake boat that has been forgotten by history. As a local history teacher and part time Great Lakes sailor, Jeff Thomas draws on both experiences to tell the story of Great Lakes shipwrecks. He finds the small details that bring the stories to life in a story-telling experience that puts the viewer "in the moment" of these dramatic tales.

01/28/2026

You don't want to miss out on Erik's presentation this year. Come see him Saturday, February 28th at the Detroit Marriott - Livonia.

Erik Petkovic is an explorer, author, maritime historian, shipwreck researcher, and technical wreck diver. Erik is the author of multiple wreck diving and maritime history books. Erik has been featured in publications worldwide, is a consultant for various production companies, and has been featured on National Geographic. Erik, a former Special Agent with the US Secret Service, regularly presents at the largest dive shows and museums and is a sought after presenter due to his unique storytelling and in-depth research. He currently lives in Southern Maryland with his wife and sons. ErikPetkovic.com

01/23/2026

You may know him online, but come and listen live. Blueyes Below will be speaking at the Great Lakes Shipwreck festival on February 28th at the Detroit Marriott - Livonia.

Dusty Klifman AKA “Blueyes Below” is one of the best equipped and youngest shipwreck hunters on the Great Lakes!

He utilizes his specially outfitted and modular ex national park service boat for diving and searching operations, a Klein side scan sonar for locating sunken targets, and an ROV for documenting.

Dusty specializes in the very DEEP, seldom seen, and often “secret” shipwrecks that are off the beaten path, with many of their locations not publicly known.

Also an accomplished technical rebreather diver, photographer/videographer,
social media entertainer,
Army and Iraq war veteran,
Licensed Captain and airplane Pilot.

Dusty’s enthusiasm for exploration and his expertise in locating and exploring shipwrecks will be sure to have you entertained and seeing something new in our beloved Great Lakes!

01/22/2026

Mark Gammage is back this year! Come and hear his presentation on Friday February 28th at the Detroit Marriott - Livonia.
Mark Gammage has had a life-long interest in Great Lakes Shipwreck History. Originally certified as a diver at 17 years of age and an instructor at 23 he immediately became fascinated with shipwrecks and the stories behind them, which he could tell through underwater photography. In the past his photographs have been exhibited in venues such as Dossin’s Marine Museum, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s Museum at Whitefish Point and articles and photos published in periodicals such as Historical Preservation Magazine and Michigan History Magazine. Mark was also a part of a group of friends called the Odyssey Foundation who researched, located or relocated and documented previously undiscovered shipwrecks, such as the Miztec, John M. Osborn, F. B. Gardner. More recently he has renewed his passion with his long-time friend Joe Van Wagnen and they have discovered 4 new previously undiscovered shipwrecks since 2020. They have a YouTube channel called “Great Lakes Shipwreck Expeditions” to share their new finds and the history they represent.