Underwater photographer and explorer Vic Verlinden is the author of six diving books, and has 50 years experience in wreck exploration – he’ll be on the Inspiration Stage at the Atlantic City Scuba Show in June talking about three major shipwrecks with a connection to the USA.
Vic discovered the wreck of the East Indies vessel De Roompot in 1992 in the North Sea. The ship was built in 1844 in the Dutch city of Zierikzee, and the collection (200 objects) was donated to the city museum in Zierikzee.
His latest major project is his book Sunken Liners, focusing on the Britannic, Lusitania and Leopoldville – three important shipwrecks in world history. Vic worked for two years to complete the book and received cooperation from Peter McCamley and Richie Kohler, among others.
Shipwrecks with an American history
RMS Lusitania – When the Lusitania was torpedoed during World War One, it came as a shock to the USA. 127 American citizens lost their lives in this disaster. This event was likely the reason why America entered the war in Europe. Vic Verlinden took part in ten expeditions ( as an underwater photographer ) to this wreck and wrote a book about it (Lusitania- the underwater collection).
SS Leopoldville – The Belgian Leopoldville was used as a troop transport ship during World War Two. The ship had more than 2,000 American soldiers on board when it was torpedoed off the coast of France (Cherbourg) on Christmas Eve 1944. More than 700 young soldiers lost their lives in this disaster. The torpedoing was one of the topics covered in Vic’s new book Sunken Liners.
U-58 – The U-58 was the first German submarine to be sunk by an American warship during World War One. The wreck lies off the coast of Ireland (Cork) at a depth of 260ft. Visibility at the site of the wreck is poor. Nevertheless, Vic managed to capture some unique images of the wreck.
Atlantic City Scuba Show
The Atlantic City Scuba Show, this year sponsored by www.scuba.com, is launching its inaugural event in 2026 (6-7 June). A sister show to the long-established Long Beach Scuba Show, it represents the first shows under the banner of new owners Rork Media Limited, which also runs the GO Diving Shows in the UK and Australia, and publishes the global-multi-edition Scuba Diver magazine, as well as being behind the Scuba Diver Magazine YouTube Channel, and long-established website Divernet.
At this new East Coast event, Rork Media plan to retain everything that made the Scuba Show such a staple on the West Coast diving circuit, and enhance it with new and improved elements, including a Main Stage with a huge video wall right in the exhibition hall itself, a new layout designed to stimulate exploration around the hundreds of booths, and additional interactive attractions including a VR dive on a deep-water shipwreck in the Baltic Sea, the Marine Careers Experience, where you can pilot an actual ROV through an obstacle course, get a selfie with a difference in our Shark Cage, and much more.
As well as the Main Stage in the exhibition hall, there is also an Inspiration Stage host to some truly exceptional speakers.
Whether you’re an experienced diver, a new enthusiast, or just curious about the underwater world, the Scuba Show brings together everything you love about diving under one roof.
Greg Holt from Scuba Radio will be entertaining the crowds on mornings before and as the show opens, offering plenty of fun and games, and the chance to win some amazing prizes.
Explore hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest scuba gear, dive destinations, underwater photography equipment, training programs, and ocean conservation initiatives, and connect with dive professionals, travel operators, and fellow divers from across the country.
You can even sell your old scuba kit at the Scuba Show to free up some of your hard-earned cash to go and buy shiny new gear, book that next vacation, or sign up for your next training course. Eastern Sports will be on-hand at the show to give you a cash offer on your used scuba gear so you can then go spend that cash at other vendors. You don’t even need to haul all your kit with you – they also offer a free shipping program for customers to send their gear, so chat to the team on the show floor.
There is also the opportunity to expand your skillset. The PSI-PCI Visual Cylinder Inspection course is open to everyone who wishes to inspect high-pressure breathing gas cylinders, or just know about the process. These specialty courses support the inspection process with formal function specific training on valve maintenance and repair, and Oxygen Cylinder Cleaning. Inspectors who are at the three-year renewal mark and want to attend the PSI-PCI Update course will be able to take care of it at the Scuba Show as well.
PSI-PCI offers the only training that is formally endorsed, utilized, and referred to by the cylinder manufacturers. The training has been created with the input of industry professionals and experts in each field to provide you with the best training available to meet the Federal requirements for the associated processes. You can join the team of PSI-PCI Professionals at the Scuba Show. Don’t wait, seats will fill up quickly! Click here for more information and to book a slot.
The Scuba Show offers two full days of ocean adventure, hand’s-on experiences, and exclusive show specials, and is where the US dive community comes together to celebrate the underwater world.
Get your tickets now!
Tickets are on sale now for the Scuba Show, and new for 2026, there is a change to the cost of entry – there is now one ticket price, which gets every attendee full access to the Exhibition Hall, and all of the presentations.
With many of the speakers on the dedicated Inspiration stage either only presenting on one of the days, or giving two different talks, plus with the headline acts on the Main Stage, and the plethora of booths, interactive elements and much more, there is plenty to keep you occupied on both days, so why not make a weekend of it?
Tickets are available now – click here – priced at $33 for a day ticket, and $60 for a weekend pass. There is also the option of a VIP Pass, which includes a weekend pass plus 6 issues of Scuba Diver magazine and 6 issues of California Diving News (Magazine delivery US & Canada residents only), and a Scuba Show Dive Team T-shirt, for $100.
Under 16s go free – bring the family and let the kids dive into the fun as well.
Join us for two incredible days, 6-7 June 2026, celebrating the world of diving at the Atlantic City Convention Center!
