Nautical Archaeology – Overview
R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. provides the full range of underwater services including Phase I remote sensing and visual surveys; Phase II testing and evaluation; and Phase III underwater data recovery. Our full-time, professional staff of nautical archaeologists and geographic information specialists utilizes the latest technologies in maritime exploration and provides precise, real-time data analysis and unparalleled accuracy in the identification, delineation, and evaluation of submerged archaeological sites and shipwrecks. We also provide data analysis services for remote sensing data, develop predictive models to aid in project planning, and conduct archival research in support of all project stages. Our Underwater Services Division has supported numerous federal agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in fulfilling their requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended. We have worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and numerous State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) to evaluate the potential effects of undertakings on submerged cultural resources in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, and rivers and bayous across the nation. We have assisted in the preparation of numerous Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), as both authors and third-party reviewers, and we have experience working with the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended (DWPA).
R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. was the first cultural resource management firm certified as an Organizational Member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). The firm also maintains membership in the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and adheres to the ADCI Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations and all applicable ADCI regulatory provisions. All operations conform to regulations promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), pursuant to 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T – Commercial Diving Operations and 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart T, App B – Guidelines for Scientific Diving. The Safe Practices / Operations Manual developed and maintained by R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates, Inc. meets or exceeds the highest industry standards for safety. We maintain full and appropriate USL&H and Maritime Employer’s Liability (MEL)(Jones Act) coverage and have a zero incidence rate during scientific diving operations.
