Rachel Smith of Surrey, BC has won PADI's third Dive-O-Rama Grand Prize thanks to her participation in PADI's international Dive-O-Rama sweepstakes. By referring a non-diving friend to her local dive centre for a free scuba experience, Smith was automatically entered in the sweepstakes. For more info visit www.padi.com

Volunteer on the Cape Breton

The Artificial Reef Society is in need of volunteers to help with the clean up of the Cape Breton to be sunk later this year as an artificial reef. Clean-up dates include April 29-30 and May 13-1. For more information contact the Artificial Reef Society at (604) 733-1217 or visit their website at www.artificialreef.bc.ca

Historical Diving Society

The Historical Diving Society (of Canada) was formed in September 1998 by a group of enthusiasts who wished to preserve, study and promote diving heritage including all aspects of commercial, naval, military, experimental, scientific and sport diving.

Among the benefits of membership are: regular magazine, "Historical Diver", meetings and lectures, an annual conference and rally, working equipment rallies, contacts with other enthusiasts, membership and profile register and a Canadian newsletter.

For more information contact the Historical Diving Society Canada (604) 980-6262, fax: (604) 980-6236 or e-mail: nrl@direct.ca

Sea the Future

Tech2000, coming to Nanaimo, B.C. June 14-21, is a week-long festival with a variety of events centring around the theme "underwater exploration and education". Highlights include a dinner show with technical diving pioneer and cave explorer Tom Mount, Sea the Future theatre presentation with Dr. Phil Nuytten and the DIVER Magazine Multi-Media Imaging rooman exhibit hall with a gallery of underwater photographs, mini video theatres and virtual reality diving. Also scheduled are walk-throughs of the HMCS Cape Breton, rebreather and scuba experiences and an exhibit hallnot to mention the diving.

For more information visit www.divebritishcolumbia.com or call (250) 756-8871.

Submarine needs help

The Vancouver Maritime Museum has become home to the oceanographic submersible, Ben Franklin. The museum has now begun the huge task cleaning, reassembling and outfitting this significant artifact. The museum's vision for the Ben Franklin is to make it accessible for visitors, specifically school groups with a new daylong, sleep over, "Aquanauts/Astronauts" program.

In addition to cash donations, the Museum is seeking donations of materials and services. For more information call the Museum's executive director, Jim Delgado at 257-8301 or operations manager, Raylene Marchand 257-8310. Visit the Museum's website at www.vmm.bc.ca