HERITAGE AWARENESS ENHANCES VISITOR EXPERIENCE

A Heritage Awareness Diving Seminar was conducted in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in partnership with Florida's Public Archaeology Network and the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research, to teach dive instructors how to proactively protect shipwrecks, reefs and underwater cultural sites. These instructors, in turn, teach their own students and tourists visiting the Keys, which receives over 700,000 visitors annually that participate in diving activities. By providing trainings to the tourism industry on submerged cultural resources, protection of nonrenewable resources and the value of cultural tourism, the sanctuary is able to enhance visitors' experiences.

MONITOR SAILORS INTERMENT

Working with the Secretary of the Navy and The Department of Veterans Affairs, NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was honored to play a role in the final burial of two United States sailors recovered from the shipwreck of the USS Monitor. On March 8, 2013, thousands gathered to watch as two horse-drawn caissons carried the flag-draped caskets of the fallen sailors through Arlington National Cemetery where they were laid to rest. The event marked the end of a long journey for these men, whose remains were discovered in the ironclad's turret during a joint NOAA-U.S. Navy expedition in 2002.