The 2008 Expedition is August 16-23
The USS Monitor

On March 9, 1862, the Civil War battle of Hampton Roads between the ironclads USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimack) heralded the beginning of a new era in naval warfare. Though indecisive, the battle marked the change from wood and sail to iron and steam.

Today, the remains of the Monitor rest on the ocean floor off North Carolina's Outer Banks, where the ship sank in a storm on December 31, 1862. Discovered in 1973, the Monitor wreck site was designated the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The purpose of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is to preserve the historic record of this significant vessel and to interpret her role in shaping US naval history.

Since 2004 celebrated divers Joel Silverstein and Capt. Kathy Weydig have been conducting civilian research on this national treasure.  This year the team returns to the Monitor again in August.

This website will chronicles their efforts and those of their team. Plus you will find reports, documents, history, photographs, videos' and a daily blog of this year's activities on the site. 
 

The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is located 16 miles south-southeast of the Cape Hatteras, North Carolina Lighthouse. Because of its location and environment it is impossible for the majority of the public to visit the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Private research diving permits are available by contacting the sanctuary office. Weather and sea surface conditions can be unpredictable at the Monitor.  Our extensive experience diving this site has been an important part of our overall activites and safety record.  High seas and strong currents can make for very challenging dive conditions,. Diving the USS Monitor is a challenging technical dive requiring significant diving experience. 

The 2008 Permitted Expedition begins on August 16, 2008. This is the fifth research permit granted to Tech Diving Limited / Scuba Training and Technology Inc.    (MNMS-2008-001)

 

This website will be updated each day during the expedition. You will get to see images, video, and read about our activities.
Scuba Training and Technology Inc. was chosen for this research permit because we are a fully insured recreational and technical diving company. The principals have been diving on the USS Monitor since they ran operations in 1997 during the Farb Monitor Expeditions. We were granted our first civilian permit in 2004. This was after the Turret and Engine had been removed for preservation.  The work we do on the Monitor documents the changes to the site since those major portions have been removed. Since 2004 we have conducted research expeditions on the Monitor in 2004, 2006, 2008 and now in 2008.

Our experience in technical diving, technical dive training, education, expeditions, underwater archeology, shipwreck exploration, and conservation is unmatched in the USA. We have conducted research on many of the major shipwrecks in the United States including the Andrea Doria, Wilkes Barre, the SS Lexingon, RMS Republic, and the co-discovery of the B-36 Bomber in San Diego.  We are also the holders of the coveted Commercial Use Authorization to conduct diving operations on the B-29 Bomber in Lake Mead.

Weydig and Silverstein at the Monitor Memorial with the Explorer's Club Flag - 2004

 2008 USS Monitor

Capt. Kathy Weydig & Joel Silverstein, permit holders.

Kathy is a USCG 100 Ton Merchant Marine Officer, Co-Founder of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and a member of the DAN Board of Directors.

Joel is a Trimix Instructor Trainer, Explorer, Author of four books on Mixed Gas Diving, and an Equipment Designer.

They began diving the USS Monitor in 1997 with the late Rod Farb.  Seven years later they resumed research on the USS Monitor with the "Return to the USS Monitor" research Expeditions.

 

 Team


Joel Silverstein
Capt. Kathy Weydig
Joe Poe
David Ulloa
Tyler Stalter
Michael Schlink
Susan Smith
Paul Kim
Carlos Aguilar
Capt. David Sutton
Ric Johnson
(Dive For Life)

Capt. Art Kirchner,
 (Margie II)

Jeff Johnston,
(NOAA Observer)


 

2008 Expedition Schedule  

Aug 16 Base Camp Set Up
Aug 17 Equipment Prep and Ops Meeting
Aug 18 Dive Day - Establish Mooring
Blown out due to current - dived other site.
Aug 19 Dive Day - Established Mooring
Conducted General Survey
Aug 20 Dive Day - Mapping and Measurement
Aug 21 Dive Day - Wood and Iron Samples
Blown out due to strong winds and seas. Did land based video interviews.
Aug 22 Dive Day - Pick Up Shots - Wrap
Blown out due to strong winds and seas. Wrap out base camp.
Aug 23 Break Down Base Camp
Go to Mariner's Museum
  Check out Videos Here

 
 
  

 
Scuba Training and Technology Inc.
Tech Diving Limited
2959 Kiowa Blvd N. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404
928-855-9400 E-mail: joel@techdivinglimited.com
www.techdivinglimited.com

Copyright 2007, 2008 STT Inc.
All Rights Reserved
11/01/08