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Objectives of Undersea Explorers

Undersea exploration is a source of fascination, mainly because the depths of the ocean are, to a great degree, an unknown quantity. In that respect, underwater explorers are viewed as trailblazers, shining a light on a mysterious world. All explorers have their own objectives, but the results of their work gives us a glimpse into the secrets of shipwrecks, historic relics, marine life, environmental damage and even, as illustrated by the United States Navy, the human psyche.

Recovering Artifacts
- Shipwreck underwater.
  
  The recovery from shipwrecks of valuable items such as coins and jewelry is a primary objective of many undersea explorers. For example, E. Lee Spence, a German pioneer of underwater archeology, says he has salvaged more than $50,000,000 in valuable artifacts from his explorations of shipwrecks. Although controversy sometimes surrounds these activities, marine archeologists working within the confines of the law should be distinguished from looters -- freelance divers who scour wrecks for treasure they can sell, usually on the black market.
Documenting Historic Shipwrecks
- Not all shipwreck exploration is related to the recovery of valuables. Some undersea explorers devote their work to documenting historic ships and submarines that have been sunk during wars, for instance. Their objective is to discover more about the wreck, such as when it sank, how many were on board, and what caused it to sink, as well as any other evidence they can glean. American journalist and underwater archeologist Peter Throckmorton, for instance, specialized in discovering ancient shipwrecks, such as those from the Bronze Age.
Discovering Marine Species
- Little is known about the habits of many sea creatures; in fact, marine biologists are convinced many underwater species are yet to be discovered. In 1960, Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh succeeded in their objective to discover fish and other deep-sea life at a depth of nearly 36,000 feet. Marine biologist Sylvia Earle also discovered many marine species during 50 underwater expeditions in which she completed more than 6,000 hours underwater.
Analyzing Human Behavior
- Some objectives of undersea exploration are particularly ambitious. The United States Navy has developed experimental underwater habitats to investigate the viability of saturation diving and to monitor the results of humans living in isolation for extended periods of time. The Navy reports that these expeditions have advanced the science of deep-sea diving and rescue and contributed to the understanding of the psychological and physiological stresses humans can endure.
Investigating Environmental Damage
- An important concern regarding global warming is the effect it has on coral reefs. To investigate this negative aspect of climate change, an undersea laboratory called Aquarius was developed off the Florida coast. The lab became a home-away-from-home for the scientists, who ventured into the water between six to nine hours a day to do fieldwork. The project, which lasted between 1993 and 1996, contributed revolutionary work to the study of coral reefs.

Nature