Complete Wreck Diving: A Guide to Diving Wrecks

There is a wealth of information for both beginning and advanced wreck divers packed into this comprehensive volume. Some of the topics covered are types of ships and how they deteriorate; researching and finding shipwrecks; methods of actually searching for a wreck; specialized equipment and predive preparation; what to look for and expect in a charter boat; diving the wreck with special emphasis on hazards and navigation; clues to use for identifying a wreck; artifact recovery, conservation and legal considerations; special techniques of photographing wrecks. Also includes a section on the contribution wreck diving makes to our understanding of maritime history. Covered in the appendices are lists of research sources in the United States and overseas. Written in an engaging style with ample use of the authors’ first hand experiences.

Henry Keatts is a Professor of Biology an Oceanography, Suffolk Community College, Long Island, NY. In addition to being widely published in his field, Keatts is the author of New Englands Legacy of Shipwrecks and Field Guide to Sunken U-Boats, both published by the American Merchant Marine Museum Press (United States Merchant Marine Academy), and Guide to Shipwreck Diving: New York and New Jersey, published by Pisces Books. He is co-author of the Dive Into History series (u-boats, Warships and U.S. submarines) published by Pisces Books. Keatts writes a column "History Submerged" for Discover Diving magazine. He is a "fellow" of the Explorers Club, an associated member of the Boston Sea Rovers and an honorary member of the Gillmen Club (Hartford, CT) and the Adirondack Underwater Explorers (Saratoga Springs, NY). He is president of the American Society of Oceanographers. His underwater photography complements both his academic and avocational pursuits.

Brian Skerry is an underwater photojournalist based in Massachusetts. Although he has worked with a variety of subjects, his primary focus has been on shipwrecks, having logged in an excess of 600 decompression dives in their pursuit. Among the wrecks Brian has documented, are the luxury liner Andrea Doria, eight German U-boats, and the civil war ironclad U.S.S. Monitor. His work has been featured by numerous national clients including Sports Illustrated, American Heritage and National Geographic television.