The International Shipwreck Conference

organised by wreck enthusiasts for wreck enthusiasts

Organisation

Aims of the Conference

The International Shipwreck Conference is run by wreck enthusiasts for enthusiasts, the aim is to provide a meeting place for divers, explorers, archaeologists and salvors as well as government and commercial organisations.The organisers are all divers with interests in maritime archaeology and history and the varied nature of the speakers reflects this, a conference can include a world renowned archaeologist alongside a treasure hunter, followed by a diver working on a local project.

This conference provides high quality speakers for considerably less cost that the other conferences, this conference is not just for the academics.  This is the only regular conference of its kind in the UK and one of the few in the world where archaeologists and salvors can meet.

We aim to provide the conference at the lowest cost.  To keep prices down :

  • We do not pay the speakers
  • We can only pay local expenses so international speakers pay for their own flights
  • The conference organisers do not get paid
  • We do not produce expensive conference packs or advertising, all the money goes into the conference itself.

Each year the conference is expanded to include new features and it gets bigger each year.  We filled the venue we used in 1999 so for 2000 onwards we moved to a larger venue.

 

The Robbins Conference Centre

The International Shipwreck Conference is held in the Robbins Conference Centre in the University of Plymouth.  The purpose-built conference centre includes a 250 seat air-conditioned lecture theatre, two large seminar rooms as well as refectory and bar facilities.

The Robbins Conference Centre

For the speakers we can provide :

  • Twin slide projectors
  • Overhead projector
  • Fixed and radio microphones
  • Video projector which can project VHS video, video document camera or a personal computer display.

 

Poster Stands

Moving to the new building gives us plenty of room to show poster stands.

Trade stands are welcome at no charge, but please let us know in advance so we can allocate space.

 

History

The Conference started many years ago as the NAS South-West Region annual conference.   Since then it expanded and became the UK National Shipwreck Conference and has now become International since we have so many international speakers.

 


Would You Like to Speak at Next Year's Conference ?

Do you have an interesting story to tell or a paper to present on one of our favorite subjects ?

Anyone with a good story is welcome to speak at the Conference, just send an email to the organisers saying who you are and what you would like to present.

Dates for future conferences:

  • Saturday 9th February 2008
  • Saturday 7th February 2009

 

The conference is organised by members of the International Maritime Archaeology and Shipwreck Society as a forum for divers, explorers and shipwreck enthusiasts.