Underwater Archaeology Branch , Naval History & Heritage Command The Underwater Archaeology Branch ( UAB ) of the Naval History & Heritage Command ( NHHC ) is a unit of the United States Department of the Navy . It was formally founded in 1996 as a consequence of the emerging need to manage , study , conserve , and curate the U . S . Navy ' s submerged cultural resources . History and mission . The Branch acts as the center of expertise and recognized authority for the Department of the Navy in all matters related to the science of underwater archaeology and the identification , research , analysis , interpretation , preservation , conservation , inventory , and management of Navy ' s historic shipwrecks and aircraft wrecks and their associated contents . The Branch preserves , protects , and makes access available to sunken military craft and their associated contents which act as a permanent reminder of the Navy ' s naval engagements , technological advancements , and maritime heritage . Duties and responsibilities . Underwater archaeological expertise . UAB advises the NHHC on all matters concerning underwater archaeology , preservation and management of United States Navy wrecks . UAB also provides expertise on sunken Navy military craft to other Navy Commands , the Department of Defense , other Federal Agencies , state and local governments , non - profit organizations , universities , and the media . Archaeological research . UAB conducts scientific research in the form of archaeological surveys , site assessments , and excavations . Among the most prominent projects are , , surveys conducted off Normandy Beaches , and the search for . UAB also oversees , supports , and issues archaeological permits to third - party researchers . Finally , the Branch seeks to encourage research and development in related science and technology fields which in turn contribute to Navy project - based training . Conservation and curation of artifacts . UAB operates a state - of - the - art Archaeology & Conservation Laboratory as well as provides professional guidance to the Navy on conservation and curation of artifacts originating from an underwater environment . The branch inventories , conserves , curates , and provides access to an artifact collection of over 2000 artifacts for research , analysis , and museum exhibition . It also maintains an archaeological artifact loan program with over 7200 artifacts currently on loan to national and international museums . The UAB Laboratory also functions as an environmentally - controlled curatorial repository for Navy ' s recovered artifacts that are not on loan to museums or other institutions . After removal from an underwater environment , the artifacts are in immediate danger due to the deteriorating affects of increased oxygen , temperature , light , and other atmospheric conditions . While artifacts are undergoing conservation in the laboratory , they are scientifically analyzed and thoroughly documented to prevent loss of information throughout the stabilization process . Even after they are stabilized , artifacts excavated from underwater sites require periodic monitoring and evaluation , as they are susceptible to fluctuations in their immediate environment . All collections are available for study , with research as its goal . Historic preservation and policy development . The Branch develops , coordinates , reviews , advises , and implements policy related to the preservation and protection of Navy sunken military craft and Ensures Navy compliance with applicable federal laws . To this effect , it drafts cooperative agreements , state or regional management plans , legislation , regulations , and assists the Department of State and Department of Justice in international agreements and litigation claims involving both domestic and foreign sunken military craft . Under the Sunken Military Craft Act , the United States maintains ownership of any sunken military craft and its associated contents owned or operated by the government at the time of its sinking , regardless of the passage of time or location . As a result , it is illegal to disturb , remove , or injure sunken military craft , including navy wrecks , as well as foreign government historic wrecks located in U . S . waters , without permission . As part of its management mandate , UAB also coordinates the protection of Navy sunken military craft as , besides their historical importance , many of them serve as war grave s , carry unexploded ordnance , or may potentially raise environmental concerns . In addition to policy and laws , the UAB maintains a geographic information system and database of over 3 , 000 ship and 14 , 000 aircraft wrecks for management as well as prepares nominations for the National Register of Historic Places . Outreach efforts and dissemination of information . The UAB disseminates information to the Navy , the general public , and academia on Navy archaeology , conservation , history , and historic preservation policy via scientific and popular publications , lectures , the NHHC UAB web - site , in - person tours of the Archaeology & Conservation Laboratory , the artifact loan program , and underwater archaeological exhibits . The UAB also strives to support United States Naval Academy midshipmen training and student research . Vision . The Underwater Archaeology Branch , as the Department of the Navy ' s sole expertise on underwater cultural heritage , envisions the Navy ' s sunken ship and aircraft as a unique resource for interpreting the Navy ' s history and traditions through the science of underwater archaeology . The Navy ' s sunken military craft represent a non - renewable , fragile , and untapped repository for science , technology , and history . The Branch operates at the interface between policy , archaeology , history , cultural resource management , and marine science . As such , it is highly dependent upon multi - disciplinary cooperative relationships with federal , state and private programs , advances in technologies , and a variety of scientific disciplines .