The death of a Kingston diver has resulted in money being raised for both the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Preserve Our Wrecks association. Forty-four-year old David Teepell, an active Kingston diver and fisherman, died of a heart attack on January 8th.
Mr. Teepell was well known by members of the dive community. "David was a unique individual who could brighten your day with amusing comments to life's everyday, little problems" remembered POW president Ken Mullings. "He could often be heard on the Kingston marine airways calling from his boat Pequod and chatting with his many acquaintances and friends."
"David also had a knack of showing up where the action was. It will be some time before those of us who knew him will accept that he will not be showing up again."
At his funeral, the Teepell family requested donations in lieu of flowers be given to Preserve Our Wrecks and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. To date proceeds are in excess of $1,000 to Preserve Our Wrecks in David Teepell's memory.
Fund Raiser For Shipwreck Programme
In anticipation of an upcoming Ontario Provincial Government hearing into a proposed shipwreck legislation, the Ontario Underwater Council has established a fund to, in part, launch a diver awareness shipwreck program. The new fund is part of Sports Ontario's registered charity, so, people donating money to the fund will receive a tax receipt. Bill 13, better known as the Ontario Marine Heritage Act, passed second reading just before Christmas. The bill, as it is now written is in essence an attempt to protect historically important shipwrecks. If passed, the bill will carry fines up to $50,000 for people scuba diving beside, on, or through shipwrecks. It's strict, it will also be a crime to disturb silt in and around heritage sites.
"Although the proposed statute has a laudable purposeto enhance the protection and preservation of Ontario's marine heritage resources" wrote Beth Cornwell the president of the Ontario Underwater Council (OUC), "if passed in its present form, this legislation would effectively terminate sport diving."
The OUC, dive clubs and dive boat operators plan to make representation to the Provincial Government, when the bill's hearing is held.
Lake Simcoe Diver Continues Protest
Lake Simcoe is a large body of water north of the city of Toronto. The lake has not been well known for its diving, but, in recent years, efforts by one diver in particular have led to the discovery of a number of significant underwater archeological sites.
Diver Scott Williamson has been instrumental in publicizing Lake Simcoe's underwater heritage. Now, the Jackson Point resident has formed an association that is pushing to save that same heritage.
In February, Williamson launched a letter writing campaign to stop the proposed construction of a break wall project on Jackson's Point wharf property on Lake Simcoe. Williams, and like minded Ontario divers are expressing concern that the proposed construction on the lake will destroy significant finds that have been made in the area.
"The presence of timbers, a spike, and a very large steel train wheel in areas that were purportedly 'inspected' for 'archaeological and/or historical matter' clearly demonstrate the shortcomings of that effort," explained Mr. Williams. "There is also a large submerged crib-like structure near the eastern boundary of the federal waterlot which to our knowledge has never been documented or evaluated for any possible historical significance."
"We have joined together to form an association, The Lake Simcoe Marine Heritage Society. Our mission is to protect and preserve the natural and built heritage of Lake Simcoe and the surrounding area. Jackson's Point has a rich history of shipping, ship building and ship repairing, both before and after, as well as throughout the nineteenth century. The most obvious artifact remaining from that period is the 200 foot-long Historic Marine Railway. "
Williamson is looking for support in the Society's fight to preserve Lake Simcoe's underwater heritage resources. He can be contacted at: scottw@ils.net.