Big Apple Divers September 2023 Meeting

Mike Gerken, Captain of the ‘Truk Odyssey,’ spent 2 years during the Covid pandemic on lockdown in the Truk Lagoon, Micronesia. In 1944, US forces sank nearly 50 vessels of the Japanese Fleet while anchored in Truk and the wreckage of those vessels make this site one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Since Truk was closed to tourism during those first 2 years of the pandemic, Mike spent his time diving, shooting photos and video, and delivering vaccines to local residents. “Stuck in Truk” is a presentation of the amazing images he created during this unusual time - join us!

Mike left the grind of the New York City corporate world in the late 90's to travel the world while working in the diving industry in a variety of capacities. Ten years ago Mike started ‘Evolution Dive Travel’ using his vast experience to organize and conduct custom dive excursions around the world including Truk Lagoon, Palau, Mexico and North Carolina.

In 2003, Mike discovered his love of underwater photography and cinematography when he began working in Truk Lagoon and diving the famed Japanese WWII shipwrecks. He eventually went on to become captain of the ‘Truk Odyssey’ where you will presently find him part of the year tending to his guests and photographing the wrecks every chance he gets.

In 2009, Mike became captain of the dive vessel ‘Midnight Express’ out of Olympus Dive Center in Morehead City, NC. It was here where he discovered his passion for sharks with the prolific sand tiger being the focal point of his photography. His documentary, “Wreck Denizends of North Carolina”, was completed in 2016 and is free to watch on You Tube. In 2014, Mike founded the "North Carolina Wreck•Shark Shootout"; a photo video contest where attendees come from around the world to compete for prizes and share a mutual love of photography, wrecks and sharks.
Mike has written numerous articles that have been published in Alert Diver, Scuba Diving, Diver, Wreck Diver and Sport Diver magazines.

In addition, he has two other documentary films to his credit, "The Wreck of the SS President Coolidge,” released in 2006 and "The Wrecks of Truk Lagoon" released in 2011. Both have gone on to be collectibles for divers, history buffs and wreck diving enthusiasts.

Mike’s complete portfolio, including articles and images, can be viewed on his website

Connect with him on social media!

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Mike.Gerken100/

Instagram
@mike_gerken_eui