Shipwrecks Conference

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