Hunting Shipwrecks: Mowing the Lawn with Side Scan Sonar
Inspired by Jacques Cousteau as a child, Vince Capone has become a leading expert in underwater search and sonar technology.
In this episode, he shares stories of discovering America’s oldest intact warship, the Lake George Radeau, and helping find the long-lost German sub U-215. Now, he's chasing a new mystery: what might be a forgotten Civil War submarine.
Vince’s career is a mix of science, adventure, teamwork, and a lifelong love for uncovering lost history underwater.
- Do you know what a side scan waterfall is?
- Learn about the first seamless colour photomosaic of a shipwreck
- Discover how technological advances are changing the side scan sonar industry
- Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@FascinatedbyShipwrecks
“As technology developed, we went from these very large, ungainly systems with very flimsy printouts to thermal paper, integrating position. Eventually you had a computer that interfaced with the sonar, and now everything appears on a computer screen.” - Vince Capone
© 2025 – Fascinated by Shipwrecks
Vince Capone
Side Scan Sonar Expert, Owner Black Laser Learning
Vince started his underwater career in the mid-1970s as a certified NAUI advanced diver exploring the shipwrecks of New Jersey. He went on to earn degrees in Marine Biology and Marine Science with minors in geology and experimental statistics. An expert in marine technology, Vince has over 35 years of worldwide hydrographic and underwater search and survey operations experience and is the renowned President and Founder of Black Laser Learning. He is an expert in side scan sonar search operations/sonar image analysis and regularly designs and conducts training seminars for the U.S. Navy, law enforcement, fire rescue, fire, rescue, and commercial clients. Capone is a member of the Explorer’s Club and, in 2014, he received Citation of Merit, as operations manager for locating and recovering the Apollo rocket motors from the deep ocean off the Florida coast.
Podcast Testimonial: "It was a pleasure to participate in a delightful marine technology discussion with Kathy and the Shipwrecks Podcast team. Great work Kathy, and great fun!"
