Ground Breaking Held for New Maritime Center

Breaking ground for the new Center are: (left to right) John Hightower, President of the Mariners' Museum; Rep. Bobby Scott; Dan Basta, Director - NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program; Scott Gudes, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce; Rep. Jo Ann Davis; Joe Frank, Mayor, Newport News, VA.

In a historic step toward better preserving and managing our nation's maritime heritage, NOAA broke ground at its new Maritime Archaeology Center at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Va. The groundbreaking was attended by NOAA's Deputy Under Secretary Scott B. Gudes, Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.), Rep. Bobby Scott, (D-Va.), and The Mariners' Museum President and CEO John Hightower.

"NOAA's Maritime Archaeology Center will serve as the coordination point for the protection of cultural resources within our National Marine Sanctuaries," said Gudes. "Since the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was designated the first National Marine Sanctuary in 1975, NOAA has been charged with the protection of historic shipwrecks and other submerged archaeological sites. By breaking ground today, we are taking a vital step toward strengthening NOAA's commitment to protecting these unique and irreplaceable underwater resources."

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