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EnglishWhat Is the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association Website?
Updated
michiganshipwrecks.org is the official website of the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association (MSRA), a group that describes its work as "Preserving and Interpreting Michigan's Maritime History." The site is the organization's public hub for shipwreck records, a virtual museum, annual event information, and membership or donation options. It is most useful if you want to browse Michigan shipwreck and aircraft-loss records, explore maritime history exhibits online, or follow MSRA's discoveries and events.
Who runs the site
MSRA is a nonprofit organization. The site states it is "partially funded by members and supporters," and it provides a membership sign-up and a donation path. The board listed on the site includes Valerie van Heest, Craig Rich, and Jack van Heest. The organization also names a publishing partner and an exhibit design partner, which suggests its work extends beyond the website into books and physical exhibits.
What you can find on the site
The navigation reflects the site's main content areas:
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Shipwrecks | Found shipwrecks, lost shipwrecks, and surf zone shipwrecks (both lost and found) |
| Airplane Losses | Records of aircraft losses |
| Virtual Museum | "Shipwrecks: A Deep Look," "Lost & Found," "Unsolved Mysteries," and an artifact collection |
| Events | The annual shipwreck show, plus an archive of past shows going back to 1997 |
| Membership / Donate / Store | Ways to support MSRA and buy tickets or merchandise |
| Newsletter / Contact | Updates and direct contact |
The shipwreck listings are split into found, lost, and surf zone categories, which is a useful distinction if you are researching a specific vessel: a "lost" entry means the wreck's location is still unknown, while "found" entries have been located. The surf zone category covers wrecks in shallow water near shore, which are often the hardest to identify because they break up or get buried.
The annual shipwreck show
The site's current homepage message thanks attendees of the 2026 show, "Mysteries & Histories Beneath the Inland Seas," and states the next show will be in March 2027. Tickets and memberships are handled through the site. If you are planning to attend, note that the event is annual and the site points to Facebook for interim updates.
How to use the site
- Start with the Shipwrecks menu if you are looking for a specific vessel. Check the "Found" list first, then "Lost" if it does not appear.
- Use the Virtual Museum for context rather than a single wreck — the "Unsolved Mysteries" and "Lost & Found" sections explain ongoing research questions.
- Check the show archive if you want past presentation topics; the archive runs from 1997 through 2020 and later years.
- Join or donate if you want event access and updates; the site treats membership as the main way to stay connected.
What the site does not tell you
The homepage does not list prices for membership, tickets, or store items, and it does not state whether any content requires login. Treat those details as things to confirm on the membership, store, or ticket pages rather than assuming free access. The site also does not publish a full wreck database with coordinates on the homepage — you need to go into the individual sections to see what is documented.
For current announcements between events, the site directs visitors to its Facebook page, which is where time-sensitive updates appear first.