Today, undersea technology permits the location and recovery of almost anything lost on the seafloor—if cost is no object, that is. Sometimes, cost is not a major constraint in high- priority search-and-recovery operations, such as the recovery of TWA Flight 800 off Long Island. High-priority missions are few and far between, however. Most deep ocean work is done by academic or commercial entities using ships guided by Global Positioning Systems and towing sleds loaded with sidescan sonar, magnetic anomaly detectors, and cameras.
What might seem to be a small area for "aerial mapping" on land can be enormous on the deep seafloor. The first step usually is a relatively large-area sidescan sonar sweep to find likely target anomalies. Once likely targets are located, a higher resolution sonar run is made in conjunction with the magnetic anomaly equipment and cameras. If these sensors show a wreck or artifacts of significant interest, a vehicle (usually an unmanned remotely operated vehicle [ROV]) is launched to investigate and classify the target. If the ROV confirms the intended target site, then an archaeologist or commercial salvor goes to work to study the site and recover artifacts.
Many marine archaeologists do not trust commercial salvors, who they sometimes refer to as "treasure hunters." To archaeologists, ancient shipwrecks are time capsules of history. They believe too many important wreck sites have been disrupted by thoughtless and aggressive artifact recovery operations. Scientists want to map, study, and document before any artifact removals are undertaken. Proper conservation of the artifacts is very important. If not done properly, they can be lost quickly by deterioration. Above all, archaeologists are ethically opposed to selling artifacts; they want them for study and museums. By contrast, commercial salvors search the seafloor for items that have significant market value. In fact, the basis for the ancient law of maritime salvage is the restoration of property to its owners or their successors. The salvor is given a significant award, as much as 90% of the value of the property, for returning it to the stream of commerce. The salvor does not own the property unless it is awarded by a court of law. Consequently, the commercial salvor is in the business of selling, not possessing, the artifacts recovered.
Deep-sea salvage and treasure hunting have been glamorized in literature, movies, and television; salvors, however, often are viewed with suspicion. Many underwater archaeologists would like to ban all salvage at "culturally significant" wreck sites. Now they have an ally in the U.N. agency UNESCO, which has proposed a global treaty banning commercial salvage at all wrecks older than 50 years. Under the proposed treaty, all sites containing "underwater cultural heritage" would be placed under government protection, with access strictly controlled or forbidden. Nothing could be taken without governmental permission, and salvage would be nearly impossible. Several planning meetings have been held, and there is considerable international support for this scheme.
Nice theory—but will it work? Deep ocean search and recovery is very expensive. Costs can run up to $50,000 a day depending on the water depth and the type of equipment used. Underwater archaeologists have limited access to funds from large donors or government grants. Commercial salvors, however, have access to the funds needed to put big expeditions in the field through private investors. The investors are repaid from profits derived from the sale of artifacts and/or the licensing of film and photographic rights.
One new organization that addresses these problems is the Professional Shipwreck Explorers Association (PSEA). Founded in 1998, the organizers are companies and marine professionals concerned with commercial exploration of shipwrecks. They have developed a comprehensive code of ethics, providing a balance between salvage for profit and conservation of historical artifacts. Eventually, PSEA hopes to include marine archaeologists, salvors, and treasure hunters in its membership.
Odyssey Marine Explorations in Florida is an example of a salvor working in accordance with this code of ethics. The company promotes responsible studies of wreck sites and conservation of artifacts recovered. Odyssey's profits come from salvage awards, selective sales of artifacts (with representative items retained for archaeological studies), and the sale of film rights. Understandably, it must make a profit for investors and shareholders, but Odyssey believes it can balance good business practices with adherence to archaeological protocols.
If underwater archaeologists and commercial salvors are to continue working in the deep ocean, they must reach an accommodation. Both sides need each other. Salvors must operate in a responsible way to conserve the archaeological value of the wreck sites they discover. In fact, U.S. admiralty law now requires commercial salvors to maintain fidelity to archaeological protocols as a prerequisite to obtaining a salvage award. If the two sides do not learn to cooperate, deep ocean archaeology and recovery will virtually shut down, because salvors will be banned from recovering artifacts and archaeologists will be unable to finance expeditions. This benefits no one.