SOS Central

S.O.S. is a Provincial Heritage Organization in Ontario dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of an appreciation of Ontario’s marine heritage. Incorporated in 1981, SOS is a public charitable organization of dedicated volunteers from across the Province. Operating mainly through a group of Local Chapters supported by a Provincial Board of Directors and Provincial Executive, our volunteers have undertaken many worthwhile projects and activities.

Photo by Bryan Thomas 2005

Activities related to the study of Ontario’s marine heritage include historical and archival research, oral histories side scan surveys and underwater archaeological investigations. Through chapter sponsored projects, such as plaques, surveys, buoys and internationally recognized diver training through the Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS), we not only help protect our dive sites, but spread the important word to many others.

Preservation activities undertaken by SOS members include a mooring program which seeks to minimize anchor damage on sites which are regularly being visited by sport divers. Along with the mooring program, site monitoring and documentation activities help to record and preserve marine heritage sites. Presentations to scuba clubs and training courses highlight the need for sport divers to use shipwreck sites responsibly – that is, to minimize the negative impact of their visit to these fragile underwater museums.

We promote an appreciation of Ontario’s rich marine heritage through a number of initiatives. SOS members regularly make presentations to scuba training courses, public groups and dive clubs. We design, produce and bring displays about marine heritage to underwater trade shows and conferences. We seek to work very closely with the diving tourism industry to ensure that the rapidly growing heritage tourism initiatives are undertaken responsibly, from the standpoint of site preservation.

Photo by David Taylor

Ontario enjoys one of the finest marine heritage resources of any jurisdiction on the planet, and SOS lobbies all levels of government with a view to developing resource management initiatives which strike an appropriate balance amongst the competing interests of study, preservation and use.

Membership in SOS is open to all persons and organizations with an interest in marine heritage, and imposes a duty to act in a responsible manner towards submerged cultural resources. Active participation in our programs can provide an extremely rewarding and satisfying experience for this indeed is an area where an individual can make a very significant and lasting contribution to a worthwhile cause which benefits society as a whole.