Their work helped prove that it is quite possible to excavate and record underwater sites to the same quality as on land. So far more than 4.25 million people have been to see the wreck and her remarkable contents. For 12 years after her dramatic exit, during which time the hull was turned upright and the deck structures replaced, the Mary Rose was conserved by constant spraying with chilled freshwater. In 1994, active conservation was begun using the water-soluble wax polyethylene glycol which, over 10 years, will eventually replace the water in the ship's timbers and coat the hull. The wreck will then be slowly air-dried to remove any remaining moisture.
Strict hygiene is necessary to prevent wood decay or microbiological contamination.
The building in which the Mary Rose is housed includes air-conditioned viewing galleries to screen visitors from the conservation chemicals. The restored ship is now on display in the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth.