Shipwreck exploration, investigation and protection are part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s mission, and essential to preserving the nation’s maritime heritage.

NOAA uses the latest technologies to locate, identify and study shipwrecks and to bring their stories to the American people. NOAA also manages National Marine Sanctuaries that protect shipwrecks and other cultural and ecological resources for future generations.

Of course, the best shipwreck is no shipwreck. Every day, NOAA supports safe and efficient marine transportation with accurate weather information, nautical charts, ocean observations and more. But when disaster strikes, NOAA also responds to oil spills, helps locate lost mariners, and protects the environment.

We hope you enjoy this special free exhibition and explore www.noaa.gov and the links below for more information.

Shipwreck Exploration and Protection

Visit these websites to learn more about NOAA’s efforts to explore, study and protect shipwrecks and other submerged cultural resources:

NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Maritime Heritage Program - http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/maritime/welcome.html

NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration - http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/

Safe Navigation

For information about nautical charts, tides and currents, coastal mapping, ocean observing systems, and to learn how NOAA supports safe navigation, visit these websites:

NOAA Office of Coast Survey - http://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov

NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (tides and currents) -http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov

NOAA National Geodetic Survey - http://geodesy.noaa.gov/

NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System Program - http://ioos.noaa.gov/

Marine Weather Forecasts

To get the latest marine forecasts, learn about the Halloween Nor’easter of 1991 (the “Perfect Storm”), and more, visit the NOAA National Weather Service’s Marine Forecast page at http://www.weather.gov/om/marine/home.htm. To learn about NOAA Weather and All Hazards Radio, visit http://www.weather.gov/nwr/. Whether you are a mariner or a landlubber, weather information is always at your fingertips at http://www.weather.gov.

Oil Spill Response

NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration provides comprehensive solutions to environmental hazards caused by oil, chemicals and marine debris. To learn more, visit http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/

NOAA Ships, Aircraft and Satellites

NOAA’s fleet of ships, aircraft and satellites play a vital role in supporting ocean exploration, safe navigation, weather forecasting, and emergency response.

To learn more about NOAA’s ships and aircraft, including the P-3 “hurricane hunters,” visit the NOAA Marine and Aviation Operation website at http://www.omao.noaa.gov/

To learn how NOAA polar-orbiting satellites – with their speedy detection and relay of distress signals from emergency beacons – have helped rescue more than 5,000 people in the United States, and more than 22,000 worldwide since 1982, visit http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/

Safety at Sea

In addition to supporting safe navigation, NOAA is also committed to ensuring the safety of those who go to sea in support of NOAA’s mission, including researchers, vessel operators and crew, marine resource managers, educators, and NOAA Fisheries Service (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/) enforcement officers and observers.

Ocean Careers

To learn about ocean-related careers, visit http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/oceanage/interviews/welcome.html

NOAA Education Resources

To access the many educational activities, publications, and booklets that NOAA offers, visit http://www.education.noaa.gov/

NOAA Teacher at Sea Program

NOAA’s Teacher at Sea program provides kindergarten through college-level teachers an opportunity to go to sea aboard NOAA research and survey ships to work with scientists and crew. If you’re ready for a life-enriching adventure that will benefit you, your students and your community, visit http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/ for details.

A Sea of Photos

Go to sea (virtually) with NOAA at http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/ships/index.html.  Also be sure to check out the many shipwreck photos available from Marine Sanctuaries Media at http://www.marinesanctuariesmedia.com