Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary shipwrecks collection

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve: Connecting the Public to the Past through Partnerships

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve protects a nationally significant collection of more than 100 shipwrecks in Lake Huron that span over a century of Great Lakes maritime history.

Managed by NOAA and the State of Michigan, the Thunder Bay sanctuary and preserve collaborates with lighthouses, coastal parks, and marinas to provide opportunities for the public to learn about and enjoy the maritime heritage of Thunder Bay.

The sanctuary and preserve is also working in partnership with local governments to develop a maritime heritage center, which will provide interpretive outreach programs for residents and tourists.

As part of NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary System, Thunder Bay receives national media attention and has access to cutting edge educational, research and monitoring expertise. Future activities will include live video hook-ups in school classrooms showing researchers diving on Thunder Bay shipwrecks, the development of an interpretive “shipwreck trail,” and other maritime heritage education programs for local residents and tourists.