The 2007 Team

Dave McMahan
Principal Investigator

The Alaska State Archaeologist, Dave has more than 30 years experience studying and managing diverse archaeological resources of the vast Last Frontier.  A skilled diver, Dave participated in the NOAA Office of Exploration (OE) funded Kad’yak project that documented the oldest shipwreck yet found from the Russian America period as well the 2006-7 OE funded multi-disciplinary survey of Lynn Canal shipwrecks. Dave lives in Anchorage, Alaska.

A nautical archaeologist and historian, John is a professor of Maritime Studies at the Sea Education Association at Woods Hole, Massachusetts and an adjunct professor of history and nautical archaeology at the University of Rhode Island.  He specializes in 19^th and early 20^th century maritime frontier shipwrecks and cultural landscapes.  His current projects span the continent from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, to Lake Huron and Alaska.   Born and raised in the 49^th State, John also brought his fifteen years of experience fishing Alaska waters to the project.   He served as co-PI for the 2006-7 Lynn Canal Survey.  He lives in Wakefield, Rhode Island.

Also a maritime archaeologist and historian, Hans is the maritime heritage coordinator for NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Program Pacific Islands Region based in Honolulu, Hawaii.  He has worked on underwater projects in California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Florida, Bermuda, Michigan, Alaska, American Samoa and Hawaii.  Hans last worked in Alaska with the 2006 Lynn Canal Survey, and is currently involved in planning a remote sensing survey for the lost 1871 whaling fleet near Wainwright on Alaska’s North Slope.  Hans lives on the island of Oahu, Hawaii.

A maritime archaeologist with NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries Maritime Heritage Program, Tane has participated in shipwreck surveys from Midway Atoll to Maine.  Tane specializes in the technical aspects of field projects including ROV operations, underwater video and photography, and technical diving.  Tane’s research includes 19^th century steam vessels and turn of the century naval warfare.  This is the second project in Alaska that Tane has participated in, the first being the 2004 OE funded Kad’yak project.  Tane lives in Newport News, Virginia.

The owner and operator of the Juneau-based  MV Legend, Capt. Carnes operated a commercial salmon fishing boat in Southeastern Alaska for more than thirty years.  His detailed knowledge of area waters and weather patterns and exceptional boat handling skills proved invaluable.  Finding a charter operator willing to host four underwater archaeologists proved difficult, the combination of diving, heavy equipment, and the prospect of working at Eldred Rock put off most of the operators contacted.  Dave went beyond the call in provided excellent support and good cheer.