The ROV consists of a television camera in a waterproof housing connected to video monitors on board the vessel by several hundred feet of cable. The ROV has small thrusters attached to the housing. The operator on board the boat uses a joystick to send commands that control the thrusters. After a wreck is detected, divers go down to explore and map the site. We can learn a great deal about how people lived by carefully studying shipwrecks.
Divers use self-contained underwater breathing apparatus or scuba gear.
Divers take pictures of the wreckage using photographic and video cameras that are specially designed for underwater work. Divers unreel water-proof tape measures to determine the size of the wreckage. Divers record all this information underwater on slates using ordinary lead pencils. People argue about whether or not divers should bring back things from the wreck. Many people believe that all wrecks should not be disturbed.