Without any doubt, the Underwater Archaeological Society of British Columbia’s most popular and exciting, non-diving event is our annual SHIPWRECKS conference.
SHIPWRECKS began in 1986 and the success of this annual UASBC event has continued to this day. The location of the conference tends to rotate between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, and the theme of the event changes annually, but the spirit has remained the same for over 36 years and counting. The one day event includes a daytime session feature multiple captivating guest speakers, as well as a Woodward lecture and dinner. Come out and enjoy a day of learning about British Columbia’s maritime heritage and exploration!
Shipwrecks 2025
Maritime Archaeology of the Northwest Passage: stories and images of Northwest Passage archaeology, culture, and history
Date: April 26, 2026
Location: Billy Bishop Legion, 1407 Laburnum Street, Vancouver
To purchase tickets using PayPal, visit the UASBC Online Shop (https://www.uasbc.com/catalog/conferences)
Dinner & Woodward Lecture
Cost $80.00, 6:30 PM, no host bar.
Shipwrecks of the Northwest Passage
Marc-Andre Bernier, former head of Parks Canada’s Underwater Unit
Day Session
Regular Admission:$60.00; Student Admission: $40.00 - Registration 08:30 AM
Topics & Speakers
Rob Rondeau | Roald Amundsen and the Northwest Passage
Kenn Harper | Give me Winter; Give me Dogs: Knud Rasmussen and the 5th Thule Expedition
Matthew Ayre | Nova Zembla: From Archives to Arctic
Bruce MacDonald | Sisters of the Ice: the St Roch and North Star of Herschel Island
Heather Pringle | Did Viking Hunters Perish in a Shipwreck in Canada’s Eastern Arctic?
Martin Gregus | Arctic Wildlife: Images
Ashley Smith | Sacred to the Memory: Relicization and the Cataloging of Franklin Objects
David Woodman | Recent updates to the Franklin expedition - Archeological Evidence
Erika Behrisch | Writing Lady Franklin: Biography, Fiction, and the Lost Franklin Expedition