IMH PROJECTS

SHIP: Submerged Historical Inventory Project

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The Institute of Maritime History is conducting a multi-state project under the supervision of State Historic Preservation Officers to use volunteer divers and researchers to scout for shipwrecks, assess them, gather archival data, and report their findings.

Field data and archival research are compiled into databases to help the states build inventories of historic sites in State waters, and to protect and manage those sites. SHIP also helps in public outreach and in training volunteers in stewardship.

In a pilot program with the Maritime Archaeological and Historical Society [MAHS] we investigated six shipwrecks in Maryland . The project is now expanding to other states in the mid-Atlantic region and New England .

The project offers as much diving as anyone could want, for a good purpose. Dive sites include oceans, bays and rivers, some with low visibility, strong current, or surge. Divers need AOW or higher certification, and must be competent and comfortable diving in the conditions they undertake.

No souvenirs and no bragging rights:

SHIP involves no-impact, non-intrusive reconnaissance only. Sites are not disturbed. Artifacts are not recovered. All data are strictly confidential. Participants contract not to disturb sites, not to recover objects, and not to disclose sites to anyone except the SHPO.

In addition to diving skills divers need archaeological training, which can be obtained through colleges or graduate schools, dive training agencies, MAHS courses, or other training.

SHIP is completely volunteer and unfunded. Participants share costs, bring their own dive gear, and contribute toward project expenses. Expenses may be tax-deductible.

For more information please telephone David Howe at 301-949-7545 or email him at David.Howe@maritimehistory.org.

You can sign up to volunteer for SHIP by contacting IMH

Click here to read the latest news about SHIP »