| Hi Gang, I just got back from a wonderful trip to Vancouver, B.C., Canada. I met with Phil Nuytten and felt like a child going through a candy store. Wow! Phil has developed a lot of gear over the years and he enjoys showing it off! :) Yes, the 2009 PSUBS Convention will be in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Time frame is late September or early October 2009. It really depends on how busy Phil is because if has some Deepworkers on site, he has offered to let us dive them. We also want Phil to be our keynote speaker so we need him to be there. There will be four main events at the convention: 1. Lectures 2. Kick the tires. Phil will pull his sub collection out into the alley to let us take a look. 3. Dive two Deepworkers and the submersible Aquarius. 4. Dinner Few details as of now: 1. We will have to supply the crane. Phil gave me the contact for the company he uses. We will have to fund the rental of it. I may bake that into the registration costs or on a per dive basis. Still to work out the costs. 2. The Deepworkers will have to be on tethers since none of us are trained on them. 3. Aquarius will have one of Phil's crew on board. Aquarius is a three place sub. 4. Diving, Dinner, Kicking Tires, and Lectures will be at four different sites. 5. We have two possible hotel options. One in walking distance of Nuytco, but spendy. The other is further away. 6. Phil's staff is eager to see some of our subs. Any that can make it there would be great! 7. Water will be murky, making visibility a bit limited during diving. 8. GET YOUR PASSPORTS NOW! Getting into Canada was easy. Getting back into the states took some hoops. Getting a Passport can take months. START NOW! More details to follow as I sort out my notes and continue my contacts. Regards, Ray |