Boston Sea Rovers Expo

[augk]

Boston Sea Rovers (http://www.bostonsearovers.com/)
March 7th & 8th
Just Curious if anyone is planing on going to this event or might have input about previous events. I.E. did you like the show? Seems like something has always come up on or near to the date of the show for me for the past few years. So I have yet to attend one.

[Damselfish]

It's worth going to for the presentations, I may go Saturday if the mood strikes me that day. See the exhibitors if you go, but don't go just for that it's not all that great. My husband has taken a few very good photo workshops there in past years. We've done the film fest a couple times but don't bother anymore, IMO talk to film ratio is way too high.

[RIOceanographer]

I'm planning to go Saturday for the daytime speakers. It has been a few years, but the last time I went I found most of the speakers to be very informative and entertaining. I noticed at least one repeat presenter from the last time I went, Greg Skomal, who I'd recommend checking out. He gave a very entertaining presentation.

As for the exhibitors, I tend to agree with Damselfish. Its worth a spin through the room if you are there, but generally it's not worth going for that alone.

I can't comment on the film festival as I have never gone to that.

[MSilvia]

The film festival is usually the highlight of the show for me... when I catch it. Lately, I've been somewhat underwhelmed by the daytime presentations though, and have been more workshop-oriented in the past couple of years. If I go this time around, it'll probably be for the "finding shipwrecks" workshop.

[munromh]

I was looking at Sundays schedule and it appears they've got some good speakers on that day too ;-)

[augk]

My goal is to go on Saturday and catch the ancient shipwrecks in the Aegean by Brendan Foley.

and maybe the movie.

[RIOceanographer]

I was looking at Sundays schedule and it appears they've got some good speakers on that day too ;-)

I'm sorry I'm going to miss your talk. I guess I'll have to force Ed to let me watch the video.....

[oceancurrent]

I have one ticket for the Sea Rovers film festival (https://www.bostonsearovers.com/BSRpublic/filmFestival.aspx). Unfortunately, something came up, and I won't be able to attend. If anyone would like the ticket, I'll be happy to part with it for $15 (paid $25 originally). PM me if interested...

[oceancurrent]

New price: $10

[RIOceanographer]

Saturday was pretty good. I didn't go today. Several of the talks I went to were standing room only so the turnout was good.

Ethan Gordon gave a very helpful talk on tricks for digital photography (too bad I flooded my camera last summer so I can't take advantage of it). Greg Skomal gave a very entertaining talk on sharks in New England, I think he's probably the best overall public speaker there.

Also of note, since it was a hot topic here a while back, Matt Lawrence of the Stellawagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary talked about the diving opportunities in the sanctuary. I didn't see any indication they are trying to lock divers out of the sanctuary as some people are fearing. He even gave up the GPS numbers for an unidentified wreck they just found so people could dive it and said something like "Hopefully one of you will dive this and be able to identify it." So if anything I got the impression that they are trying to reach out to divers rather than exclude them as some people feared. He said a new version of their management plan that incorporates a lot of the feedback the received from divers will be coming out in a few months.

The exhibitor floor had some interesting things. Boston Harbor Diving Company had a booth so I finally got to meet Jim and Pat, very friendly guys, I can see why they have such a good reputation around here. I also got to play with the Dive Rite LED canister lights.... luckily they weren't selling them or I might have accidently purchased one and then been killed by my fiance. :D

And of course, I got to see lots of dive buddies there and spend a whole day talking about diving which is what it is really all about!

[Sean222]

Chris

It was very quiet on Sunday.


[quote=RIOceanographer;4262400]Saturday was pretty good. I didn't go today.

Several of the talks I went to were standing room only so the turnout was good.

Also of note, since it was a hot topic here a while back, Matt Lawrence of the Stellawagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary talked about the diving opportunities in the sanctuary. I didn't see any indication they are trying to lock divers out of the sanctuary as some people are fearing. He even gave up the GPS numbers for an unidentified wreck they just found so people could dive it and said something like "Hopefully one of you will dive this and be able to identify it." So if anything I got the impression that they are trying to reach out to divers rather than exclude them as some people feared. He said a new version of their management plan that incorporates a lot of the feedback the received from divers will be coming out in a few months.

[wreckedinri]

. . .Also of note, since it was a hot topic here a while back, Matt Lawrence of the Stellawagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary talked about the diving opportunities in the sanctuary. I didn't see any indication they are trying to lock divers out of the sanctuary as some people are fearing. He even gave up the GPS numbers for an unidentified wreck they just found so people could dive it and said something like "Hopefully one of you will dive this and be able to identify it." . . .

Sure had some of us scrambling for a pen and paper!:D

And yes; it was good seeing many friends and Dive Buddies there. The night Film Festival was enjoyable, but made for a long day. Howard and Michelle Hall's talk was interesting regarding the use of the IMAX camera as well as Michael deGruy's presentation about "deep" water.

[xroirat]

While many of the seminars were along the line of film festival pre-views, Andrea Zaferes, "The Art of Divemastering" was the type of seminar that Sea Rovers used to be known for many years ago. Not to detract from the excellent photography/film presentations, but seminars like Andrea's provide information that can help improve the enjoyment of scuba diving, and prevent accidents from happening. Although targeted for divemasters, her talk contained pertinent information for all of us. Butch and Andrea focus more on Public Safety Diving nowadays, but I was fortunate enough to take Rescue Diver training with Life Guard Systems back in the early 80s. Great experience, if a bit intense. I hope they publish more of their training material, or even better, start producing training videos.
Jim

[munromh]

And of course, I got to see lots of dive buddies there and spend a whole day talking about diving which is what it is really all about!

Would have liked to cross paths with you Saturday. I guess it'll have to wait until John gets the boat in ........

Mark

[RIOceanographer]

Would have liked to cross paths with you Saturday. I guess it'll have to wait until John gets the boat in ........

Mark

Agreed. Hopefully John takes me out sometime when you are out with him. Usually John invites me when his regulars such as you aren't going so I never get to meet you.

Hope your talk when well Sunday. Sorry I missed it.

[munromh]

Usually John invites me when his regulars such as you aren't going.

A lot of times we sneak out during the week and we could always use someone on board familiar with handling remote sensing gear.


Hope your talk when well Sunday. Sorry I missed it.

Went well, thanks.

[Sean222]

[quote=RIOceanographer;4267884]Agreed. Hopefully John takes me out sometime when you are out with him. Usually John invites me when his regulars such as you aren't going so I never get to meet you.

You can plan on it. Of course I think there is going to be one week in June when you are going to be a little occupied!