From the start, Wrecksploration has been all about shipwreck exploration, but behind the scenes, it has been the commitment and support of people to the idea, and their hard work and support, that have made Wrecksploration a reality. I would like to take a moment to introduce some of them to you and offer them my most sincere appreciation.

Randi Eisen has been my good right hand since I began working on this project. She is undoubtedly one of the busiest divers I have ever known, and still freely gives up any additional time required to promote the sport and its safety. In addition to being the Vice President for Wrecksploration, she is the Executive Vice President for the Long Island Divers Association and a Trustee of Beneath the Sea. Though she shies away from the public eye, behind the scenes, she is instrumental to the operations of each of these organizations, and never fails to deliver everything asked of her. She is an experienced technical diver, and dives wrecks all over the area, with a schedule of hundreds of dives per year. She organizes dozens of local wreck charters each year throughout Long Island, as well as trips to wrecks off New Jersey, Massachusetts, and North Carolina. She is one of the most accomplished technical diving instructors in the area, as well as one of the few Trimix instructors on Long Island, and has been instrumental in helping to safely grow the sport of wreck diving, through her active promotion, tireless service, and expert training of local technical divers. She has been my colleague for several years, and has become a good friend in that time. When I asked her to be an officer and director of Wrecksploration, I never expected her to accept. She was certainly the best person I could find for the position, but I never would have imagined she would be able to add anything to her already packed schedule. Without skipping a beat, she agreed to take the job, and has been instrumental in everything we have accomplished in that time.

Russ Lusterman is the exemplification of the avid local wreck diver. Since he began diving six years ago and got his first look at a shipwreck, he has been hooked, and puts all his free time into diving. He has worked hard through the years making hundreds of dives, building his skills, expanding his knowledge and progressing his education from diver, to Instructor, to technical diver. He has served as President of the Broadway Divers, and helped to revitalize the membership at a time when the organization was at a crossroads. Through his leadership, one of Long Islands largest dive clubs of old is once again one of the largest and most active clubs in the area. What really makes Russ’s contributions to the dive community stand out, is the energy, excitement and enthusiasm he brings to every aspect of diving. No matter what the circumstances, you can always expect a positive outlook and a cheerful, humorous attitude from Russ. Ever since we first discussed the concept of Wrecksploration, he has been a constant source of ideas and encouragement. He financed most of the initial costs of Wrecksploration out of his own pocket, and has been responsible for all of the administrative, financial, and legislative aspects of the organization, on top of his role in everything we have done to date. He has been my sounding board for every crazy idea I have had throughout the development of this project, and has been a constant source of support. As an organization, we are all lucky to have his talents and enthusiasm working for us as our Treasurer, while personally, I am lucky to have him as a friend.

Captain Dan Berg has, over the years, been one of the most committed explorers in the area, with an enthusiasm and excitement for the sport that never wanes. Due to recent changes in his career, spare time is a luxury he has not had much of. Taking the considerable time and effort required to put together the presentation he did for our opening meeting was no small matter. It required a significant sacrifice of time that could have been spent on his own diving projects, or with his family. That he believed in this project and what it means to the diving community was an act of faith, since we had nothing to show for ourselves at the time. Still, he committed the time and effort to put forth a presentation that was better than any of us could have imagined. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Captain Berg, not only for what he has done for this organization, but for his contributions to the local wreck diving community. His enthusiasm for exploration, along with his willingness to openly share both his successes and failures with the diving community at large are an inspiration to us all, and provide an example that the rewards of exploration can be found in the journey, as much as in the end results.

Life Support Technologies Inc. provides an imperative service to the dive community through their operation of the re-compression chamber at the Nassau University Medical Center, providing for the best treatment possible in the case of a diving accident. Their contributions to the dive community, however, extend well beyond this service. As a result of the efforts of Dr. Glenn Butler and Ed Smith, both local divers, LST plays a supporting role in so many of the diving and safety related activities that happen on Long Island, from their support of LIDA programs to education and awareness programs on diving safety and hyperbaric treatment, and their support of a wide variety of diving events. When we approached them to sponsor our first meeting, not only did they agree, but they wanted to know what else they could do, as if their sponsorship wasn't enough. Typical of these two, we ask for more than we should expect, and they wish to give even more than we ask. For their services to the diving community, as well as everything they have done to support Wrecksploration, we extend our most sincere appreciation.

Dive shops are the lifeblood of the local diving community, without them, none of us would be able to dive. All of the local dive shops have been supportive of our efforts to get Wrecksploration off the ground, but two of them have given us special considerations, and done everything in their power to provide us with whatever level of support we needed. These dive shops are Long Island Scuba in Lindenhurst, and Swim and Scuba in Rockville Center. Even before we had anything to show for ourselves, these shops pledged their support, and followed through with everything we asked of them. At a time when the sport is in a state of decline, and shops need to be more competitive than ever, you wouldn't guess that they would be likely to commit their time and resources to something that has little potential for return, but these aren't your average shops, and Steve Scigliano and Ralph Collis aren't your typical shop owners. They are divers, with a commitment to the sport of diving, who have shown time and time again that they will put the interests of the diving community first in everything they do. Don't take my word for it, go in and speak to them, and consider bringing them your business. You will find them eager to please, and willing to earn your business, as well as your trust. We appreciate the trust they put in us, and we know they will earn the trust you put in them.

What we are doing, going out into the ocean and diving on unidentified targets on the ocean floor, looks and sounds really easy, only because our local dive boat captains have made it look and seem so easy. The ease with which they command their vessels belies the skills and experience necessary to accomplish such feats. That they make it seem so easy is a further testament to their expertise. It has been the dive boat Captains who, over the years, have located and identified many of the wrecks we dive today, and they continue to explore the depths in search of new targets. It is because of their work that we are able to offer divers a place on board these exploration trips. They have been supportive and encouraging throughout the inception of the organization, and have made their knowledge and expertise available to us to draw from. It is their targets we will be initially diving, and wish to thank them for this opportunity.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of our local dive boat captains, but I need to convey a special thank you to one in particular, Captain Howard Klein. For more than 20 years now, he has kept me under his “Eagle’s” wing. He and his crew were my early mentors in the sport, and I learned from them the skills and mindset to keep myself safe through all the diving challenges I have faced over the years. No matter what dive boat I was working on, or diving off, Howard always made it known that the Eagle’s Nest was always my home. Though he often works me hard, he gives equally of himself, both personally and professionally, and puts in every bit of effort himself that he expects from his crew. The example he sets for professionalism and expertise in every aspect of dive boat operations, along with his unquestionable commitment to safety above all other considerations, have had a profound impact, not only in the way I dive, but in the way I live my life. It was Howard that encouraged me to get my Captain’s license, and it is Howard that has given me the skills and experience to put it to use. His confidence in me gave me the confidence in myself to undertake this venture, and he continues to be a friend, mentor, and a patient source of advice and encouragement. If I ever do run a dive boat someday, you can be sure that I will run it much like Captain Klein runs the Eagle’s Nest. (Heaven help you all!)

On a personal note, I would like to thank my wife, Jane, and my son, Bradley, for understanding and even encouraging my passion for diving. They make themselves available to me unconditionally for any level of support I need, and never begrudge me the time necessary to chase my dreams or fulfil my commitments. Jane plays as much of an active role as possible without actually getting wet. After a month of Russ, Randi and I trying to come up with a name, it was Jane who suggested "Wrecksploration" within the first 30 seconds of contemplation. She proofs everything we publish, reviews all our work, comes up with great ideas, and plays an advisory role in almost everything that I do. Since she has no love of diving, the love she does it all for, is me. I don't know how to express in words the love and appreciation I have for them both, but I suspect that they know.

Adam Altman
President, Wrecksploration Divers Inc.