News and Events Archive
Visit our news page for current news and events.2022 News & Events
October 14, 2022
The Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet virtually on October 14, 2022. For more information, see the archived advisory council meeting schedule.
May 23, 2022
The Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet virtually on May 23, 2022. For more information, see the archived advisory council meeting schedule.
February 22, 2022
The Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet virtually on February 22, 202. For more information, see the archived advisory council meeting schedule.
2021 News & Events
November 10, 2021 – Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
The Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet on November 10, 2021. For more information, see the archived advisory council meeting schedule.
2020 News & Events
December 10, 2020 – Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
The Sanctuary Advisory Council will meet on December 10, 2020. For more information, see the archived advisory council meeting schedule.
November 2020 - The Underwater World of Living Shipwrecks
Explore North Carolina shipwrecks and the marine life that inhabit them in 3D with NOAA’s new website: Living Shipwrecks 3D. This work not only honors the sacrifices of our Allied seamen and the heroism of the U.S. Merchant Marine, but also recognizes the role these shipwrecks play today in the region’s health as habitat for vibrant and thriving marine ecosystems.
September 15 – October 30, 2020
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council is seeking applications for the Education Seat. Learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
September 2, 2020 – Webinar: Living Shipwrecks 3D: Exploring North Carolina's World War II Heritage
Off the coast of North Carolina lie the remains of a forgotten World War II battlefield that serves as the final resting place for nearly 1,700 men lost during World War II's Battle of The Atlantic. Join us on September 2, as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II with a presentation honoring the sacrifices of our Allied seamen and the heroism of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Tane Casserley, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's Resource Protection and Permit Coordinator, and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Service's Dr. Chris Taylor, Research Ecologist and Dr. Avery Paxton, Research Associate, will highlight a decade of research conducted to document these shipwrecks. Hear about the ships' historical significance, learn about the advanced technologies used, and see acoustic fish visualizations created of the surrounding marine life that thrive on these wreck sites today.
July 1 - August 15, 2020 – Sanctuary Advisory Council Recruitment
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's Advisory Council is seeking applicants for the Education Seat. Read the full announcement. Learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
July 31 - August 2, 2020
We are excited to announce that this year Get Into Your Sanctuary weekend is going virtual! Join us from July 31 to August 2 for a unique opportunity to experience all of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary System from wherever you are. From taking an ocean safari to virtually diving through shipwrecks to learning how to cook sustainably from a professional chef, there will be something for everyone to enjoy! For more information, visit sanctuaries.noaa.gov/visit/giys.html.
June 11, 2020
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's Advisory Council will meet virtually. Learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
March 19, 2020
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's Advisory Council will meet via a conference call. Learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
March 7, 2020
Join NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary for a step back in time with the Battle of Hampton Roads at The Mariners' Museum and Park in Newport News, Virginia. For more information contact Shannon Ricles at shannon.ricles@noaa.gov
2019 News & Events
August 19 – October 1 – NOAA Seeking Applicants
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for one primary seat on its advisory council: Economic Development. Applications are due by October 1, 2019. For more information, contact William Sassorossi. Click here to read the full media advisory. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates. To download an application, click here.
June 13 – Advisory Council Meeting
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet at the sanctuary's offices in Newport News, Virginia. The meeting is open to the public. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
July 1 – 20th Anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Move
Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move. The free event starts at 9:30 am near the lighthouse, and NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary will be there! Stop by our tent for fun family activities and more! Click here to learn more about the free event.
July 1-31 – NOAA Seeking Applicants
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for two primary seats on its advisory council: Economic Development and Recreational/Commercial Fishing. Applications are due by July 31, 2019. For more information, contact William Sassorossi. Click here to read the full media advisory. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates. To download an application, click here.
July 9 – Windows to the Deep 2019 Telepresence
NOAA and the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will host an opportunity for the public to view deepwater exploration off the North Carolina coast. During the 2019 expedition, scientists on board the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer will look for additional maritime heritage sites in the region, an area known to contain many shipwrecks due to World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic. Join us at the Aquarium for a presentation on the Battle of the Atlantic and a live feed from Okeanos at 11:30 a.m. To follow the expedition online, visit NOAA’s Ocean Exploration and Research.
July 24 – August 9 – NOAA Supports Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Expedition
NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary will support an expedition led by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to explore wind energy areas off the New York coast. For more information, contact Will Sassorossi at william.sassorossi@noaa.gov or 757-591-7329.
August 2-4 – Get Into Your Sanctuary
This year NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is hosting its fifth national "Get into Your Sanctuary" celebration to raise awareness about the value of our national marine sanctuaries as iconic destinations for responsible recreation through a series of special activities. Come join us for fun, family activities at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by to spin the wheel to learn more about sanctuaries, USS Monitor and World War II off the North Carolina coast! For more information, contact Shannon Ricles at Shannon.Ricles@noaa.gov or 757-591-7328
2018 News and Events
December 6 – Advisory Council Meeting
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet at UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, North Carolina. The meeting is open to the public. Learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
November 30 - Application Deadline
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for nine seats on its advisory council: citizen-at-large, conservation, heritage tourism, maritime archaeological research, ocean sports, recreational/commercial fishing, recreational diving (2 seats), and student seat (non-voting). Applications are due by November 30, 2018. For more information, contact William Sassorossi. Click here to read the full media advisory. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
April 26 - Advisory Council Meeting
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet at UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, North Carolina. The meeting is open to the public. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
March 26 - Advisory Council Meeting
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet at UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, North Carolina. The meeting is open to the public. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
March 10-11 - Battle of Hampton Roads
Join NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary for a step back in time with the Battle of Hampton Roads weekend at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia. For more information contact Shannon Ricles at Shannon.ricles@noaa.gov.
2017 News and Events
November 30 - Advisory Council Meeting
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Monitor NMS's office in Newport News, Va. The meeting is open to the public. Click here to read the full press release. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
November 3 - NC Maritime History Council
Monitor staff will present at the North Carolina Maritime History Council's annual conference held this year in Corolla, North Carolina. For more information contact, Will Sassorossi.
October 14 - NC Museum of Natural Science Presentation
Join Monitor staff in Raleigh at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science's Daily Planet Theater at 11:30 am and 2:30 am for presentation on “War on America's Doorstep! U-Boats off the Mid-Atlantic Coast! For more information, contact Tane Casserley.
October 7 - North Carolina Seafood Festival
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary will host a booth at the seafood festival held in Morehead City, North Carolina. For more information, contact Shannon Ricles.
September 16-Day at the Docks
Monitor NMS will host a booth in Hatteras, North Carolina, in celebration of a Day at the Docks honoring the unique Hatteras spirit. For more information, contact Shannon Ricles.
August 19 - Aviation Day at Wright Brothers Memorial
Monitor NMS will host a booth at the Wright Brothers Memorial in celebration of Aviation Day in
partnership with the National Park Service.
For more information, contact Shannon
Ricles.
August 12 - Get Into Your Sanctuary Day
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary will celebrate "Get Into Your Sanctuary" in collaboration with The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia. The event will last from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with an Ocean Exploration Trust Live Interaction at 2:00 p.m., inside the museum's theater. Come join the live expedition of the E/V Nautilus as it explores Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Point Reyes, California. For more information, contact Shannon Ricles.
June 23 - Advisory Council Meeting
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, North Carolina. The meeting is open to the public. Click here to read the full press release. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
May 31 - Application Deadline
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for two primary seats on its advisory council: Recreational/Commercial Fishing and Youth. Applications are due by May 31, 2017. For more information, contact William Sassorossi. Click here to read the full media advisory. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
May 20 - Drewry's Bluff
Monitor staff will participate in an anniversary event at Drewry's Bluff in Richmond National Battlefield Park. Stop by to see our booth and attend the Monitor lecture at 2:00 pm. There will also be ranger tours, living history demonstrations, and more. For more information, contact Shannon Ricles.
April 8 - Triangle SciTech Expo
Monitor staff will host a STEM exhibit on maritime archaeology at the Triangle SciTech Expo being held at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. For more information, contact Shannon Ricles.
April 6 - Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's Advisory Council will meet on April 6, 2017, at the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary headquarters office in Newport News, Virginia. The meeting is open to the public. Public commenting begins at 3:00 pm. For more information on the event, contact Will Sassorossi. Click here to read the full calendar announcement. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
March 8 - Dedication Ceremony
A dedication ceremony for three new Monitor Trail wayside signs will take place at 11:00 am at the Monitor - Merrimac Overlook Park in Newport News, Virginia. The public is invited to attend. Click here to read the full calendar release. For more information, contact Tane Casserley.
March 4-5 - Battle of Hampton Roads
Monitor staff will participate in the annual Battle of Hampton Roads at The Mariners' Museum. The weekend, full of family-friendly activities, living history encampments, special events and lectures, commemorates the 155th anniversary of the battle between the ironclads, USS Monitor and CSS Virginia. Click here to read the full calendar release. For more information on the event, contact Shannon Ricles.
February 5 - BAREG Symposium
Monitor staff will participate in the 4th Annual Battle of the Atlantic Symposium hosted by the Battle of the Atlantic Research and Expedition Group. The event runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at Coral Edge Adventures in Catharpin, Virginia. Staff will share the 2016 BAREG survey data of the SS F.W. Abrams. For more information on the event, contact Will Sassorossi.
January 18 - Echoes of the Deep Lecture
Join Monitor National Marine Sanctuary staff at 7:00 pm as they present on this summer's Battle of the Atlantic Expedition at The Mariners' Museum. Limited space available, registration is required and there is a $5 fee. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Click here to learn more about the 2016 Battle of the Atlantic Expedition.
January 18 - Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet on January 18, 2017, at the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary headquarters office in Newport News, Virginia. The meeting is open to the public. Click here to read the full press release. Click here to learn more about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and meeting dates.
2016 News and Events
November 30 - Monitor E-Notes Available
The Fall 2016 edition of Monitor E-Notes: Sanctuary News and Events is now available. Click here to begin reading all about the latest happenings at the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
August 22 - September 5, 2016 - Battle of the Atlantic Expedition
NOAA and its partners will visit what remains of two ships, U-576, a German U-boat and the freighter SS Bluefields. Both vessels sank on July 15, 1942, during World War II's "Battle of the Atlantic," which pitted U-boats of the German navy against combined Canadian, British, and American forces defending Allied merchant ships. NOAA discovered the two vessels in 2014, 35 miles offshore and approximately 700 feet underwater just 240 yards apart.
Using manned submersibles, the researchers will collect data to visualize and virtually recreate an underwater battlefield that has remained undisturbed for 74 years. Researchers also plan to visit other shipwrecks including, USS YP-389, E.M. Clark, Panam and USS Monitor. For the full press release, click here. To follow the expedition click here.
July 15 - Monitor E-Notes Available
The Summer 2016 edition of Monitor E-Notes: Sanctuary News and Events is now available. Click here to begin reading all about the latest happenings at the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
June 25-26, 2016 - Get into Your Sanctuary at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary will team with the National Park Service for a special event, "Get into Your Sanctuary," to celebrate the value of sanctuaries as iconic tourist destinations. Stop by our booth on June 25th and 26th, from 10 am to 4 pm, for a variety of fun-filled activities and to learn more about the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and all we do. To learn more about the nationwide event click here. For more information on the Cape Hatteras event, contact Shannon Ricles.
May 21 - June 4, 2016 - Volunteers Help to Map F.W. Abrams
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's maritime archaeologist teamed up with volunteer divers from the Battle of the Atlantic Research Expedition Group (BAREG) to map and survey the World War II oil tanker, F.W. Abrams. Photo: Courtesy of Bill Chadwell and Eric Brooks, BAREG
May 10 - Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet on May 10 at the sanctuary's office in Newport News, Va. The meeting is open to the public and will include updates on the state of the sanctuary, budgets, personnel changes, expansion and Monitor conservation. For the press release click here.
May 1 - Nov 1 - Monitor Shipwreck Photo Contest
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary invites photographers to submit photos that celebrate North Carolina's rich and diverse maritime heritage during its inaugural shipwreck photography competition. Click here to learn more and to download the entry application.
April 7 - Monitor E-Notes Available
The Spring 2016 edition of Monitor E-Notes: Sanctuary News and Events is now available. Click here to begin reading all about the latest happenings at the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
April 1 - Shipwreck Website Launches
Our newest website addition launched on April 1 featuring the Graveyard of the Atlantic shipwrecks. The site offers a look at various WWI, WWII and Civil War shipwrecks located beneath the turbulent waters off North Carolina's coast. Click here to begin exploring.
March 5-6 - Battle of Hampton Roads
On March 5-6, we will celebrate the Battle of Hampton Roads at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Va. This two-day event is held annually to commemorate the 1862 Battle of the Ironclads--USS Monitor and CSS Virginia.
February 9, 10, 11, 16, and 17 - Proposed Expansion Scoping Meetings
After several years of scientific and archaeological assessment and in coordination with the public, NOAA is proposing to expand Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. Public scoping meetings will be held in Raleigh, N.C., Beaufort, N.C., Hatteras, N.C., Washington, D.C., and Nags Head, N.C. For more information click here.
February 8 - Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet on February 8 at UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, NC. The meeting is open to the public and will include updates on the state of the sanctuary, budgets, personnel changes, expansion and Monitor conservation. For the press release click here
January 8 - Proposed Boundary Expansion Announced
After several years of scientific and archaeological assessment and in coordination with the public, NOAA is proposing to expand Monitor National Marine Sanctuary off North Carolina's Outer Banks to include additional maritime heritage resources. The proposed expansion would protect a nationally significant collection of shipwrecks that currently have little or no legal protection, including one of America's only World War II battlefields. Public comments will be accepted through March 18. For more information click here. For the press release click here.
2015 News and Events
November 14 - Touch a Boat at The Mariners' Museum
Monitor NMS will exhibit at the "Touch a Boat" event at The Mariners' Museum. The event is to honor the military and first responders by engaging in a family-friendly event. We will have a booth where kids can build a boat, learn more about what we do, and see our newest boat, a 25' Defender Class given to us by the US Coast Guard. There will be other boats throughout the museum and lots of activities for families to enjoy! For more information contact Shannon Ricles.
October 17 - Archaeology Day
Monitor NMS will exhibit at the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, located in Nags Head, N.C., for a daylong public outreach event. The festival is dedicated to providing a fun and educational experience that promotes, honors, and celebrates the coastal seafood heritage of the Outer Banks community. Monitor NMS partnering with East Carolina University, UNC Coastal Studies Institute and members of the Queen Ann's Revenge conservation team, will be available to discuss their programs as well as promote the cultural heritage of the Outer Banks. The event date corresponds with the Archaeological Institute of America's (AIA) nationwide Archaeology Day events. For more information contact Kara Fox.
October 1 - Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet on February 8 at UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese, NC. The meeting is open to the public and will include updates on the state of the sanctuary, budgets, expansion, council work plan, and Monitor conservation. For the press release click here.
Aug. 31-Sept. 14 - Survey of Diamond Shoals Lightship LV-71
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, BOEM, and other partners will conduct a thorough survey of Diamond Shoals Lightship LV-71. The lightship was sunk by a German submarine, U-140, during WWI off the Cape Hatteras coast. For more information click here. For the press release click here.
August 14 - Monitor NMS Seeking Applications for Advisory Council
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants to fill the commercial/recreational fishing seat on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.
For more information and to download an application click here.
July 18 - SRVx Sand Tiger Open House
NOAA's SRVx Sand Tiger will be open for public tours from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in Ocean City, MD. The boat will be docked at Governor's Pier at the boat launch near the corner of Sunset Ave. and Golf Course Rd. The open house will highlight the archaeological research surveying portions of the Maryland Wind Energy Area conducted the previous week. The project is a collaboration between the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and NOAA. Come and meet the scientists and researchers and learn more about the project. For more information contact Joe Hoyt.
July 8-17, 2015 - Maryland Archaeological Survey
In collaboration with BOEM and UNC Coastal Studies Institute, NOAA will conduct archaeological surveys in portions of Maryland's Wind Energy Area. The survey will collect acoustic data on selected geophysical targets with archaeological potential, as well as performing diver investigation with photography and videography.
June 27-28, 2015 - Get Into Your Sanctuary
Come by our offices in Newport News, Va., to Get Into Your Sanctuary! Come learn more about the USS Monitor, your nation's maritime heritage, and discover what else the sanctuary is doing. Open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Come out and be sure to register to win a Family Fun Pack, courtesy of The Mariners' Museum. Fun Pack includes museum admission, 3-D movie passes, and a paddle boat rental!
June 22-26, 2015 - NABS YES Students Visit Local Area
Monitor NMS will host students from across the country for the National Association of Black Scuba Divers Youth Educational Summit (NABS YES). The goal of the program is to bring together youth with an interest in the marine sciences, provide them with educational experiences that enhance their knowledge of and respect for marine life, and promote safe and skilled exploration of the seas through scuba diving.
June 21-29, 2015 - Triangle Wrecks Surveyed
Through the ANCHOR program, Monitor NMS will collaborate with Roanoke Island Outfitters and Dive Center to train recreational divers on the techniques in conducting an archaeological survey of a shipwreck. After the training course, divers will survey and map Kyzikes and Carl Gerhard, also known as the Triangle Wrecks, located near shore just off Kill Devil Hills.
June 19, 2015 - Meet Your Sanctuary
We would like to invite you to join us at Kelly's Outer Banks Restaurant and Tavern from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm for the opportunity to get to know the Monitor NMS staff and learn about current sanctuary projects. Kelly's is located at Milepost 10.5 - US 158 Bypass, Nags Head, N.C.
June 5-7, 2015 - SRVx Sand Tiger in Parade of Sail
On Friday, June 5, NOAA's SRVx Sand Tiger will participate in Norfolk's Harborfest Parade of Sail. The boat will dock at Waterside Marina and be open for tours throughout the festival starting at 2:00 pm on June 5. Visitors to the festival can also visit Monitor National Marine's Sanctuary's booth to learn more about the Monitor and the work that the sanctuary is doing to protect our maritime heritage.
May 29, 2015 - Monitor NMS Dedicates New Trail Sign
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and Greenpoint Monitor Museum dedicated the newest Monitor Trail wayside sign. The sign resides at the original site of Continental Iron Works where the USS Monitor was built in 1862. The dedication ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, schools, and community members.
May 23-30, 2015 - Volunteers Help to Map Dixie Arrow
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's maritime archaeologist teamed up with volunteer divers from the Battle of the Atlantic Research Expedition Group to map and survey the World War II merchant tanker, Dixie Arrow
May 15, 2015 - Monitor NMS Seeking Applications for Advisory Council
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for one primary seat on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent. The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following primary seat: recreational/commercial fishing.
For more information and to download an application click here.
April 30, 2015
Newport News Public Schools' Crittenden Middle School students will participate in a program onboard the SRVx Sand Tiger. Throughout the semester, students study maritime heritage and learn about ocean issues. The program is the culminating event for the course.
April 23-26, 2015
Monitor staff will conduct NAS training for avocational divers. Once the volunteer divers are trained, they will help with documenting and surveying a WWII shipwreck, Dixie Arrow, in May.
April 21, 2015
Monitor staff surveyed two Civil War ironclads, CSS Richmond and CSS Fredericksburg, on the James River in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education and the Henrico Police River Patrol.
March 23-24, 2015
Eighth-grade students at Wallkertown Middle School in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will spend the day learning about the USS Monitor, WWII and the rich maritime history located off the North Carolina coast. Monitor staff will also be the keynote speaker at an evening community STEM event.
March 20, 2015
Alert Diver Magazine featured the discovery of the elusive battlefield of the U-576 and Convoy KS-520. To read the full story, click here.
March 19, 2015
SRI International published an article on the U-576 and the survey data that they collected. To read the full story, click here.
March 7-8, 2015 - Battle of Hampton Roads Weekend
Come join us at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Va., as we commemorate the 153rd anniversary of the Battle of the Ironclads. Experience Living History encampments and demonstrations, listen to 19th century music, meet Abraham Lincoln, enjoy family programs and games, and more!
March 5, 2015 - Monitor's Advisory Council Meeting
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary's advisory council will meet on March 5 at the sanctuary office in Newport News, Virginia. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting will include updates for council members and the public on the state of the sanctuary, budgets, personnel changes; and Monitor conservation. Press Release.
February 18, 2015 - Monitor NMS Seeking Applications for SAC Seats
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for two primary seats on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent. The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following primary seats: education and recreational/commercial fishing. For more information and to download an application click here.
2014 News and Events
December 4, 2014 - Underwater Cultural Heritage Law Study
The protection and management of Underwater Cultural Heritage is a challenging topic, as it involves the interplay of U.S. statutes, maritime law, international law, and often complex issues regarding what law applies when and against whom it may be enforced. The Underwater Cultural Heritage Law Study is generated by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the NOAA to provide an analysis of existing laws protecting Underwater Cultural Heritage on the U.S. outer continental shelf, identify gaps and recommend legislative changes to address any gaps. To download a copy of the report click here.
December 4, 2014 - Graveyard of the Atlantic Report Published
North Carolina's shoreline from Currituck Sound to Cape Fear is a dramatic marine setting influenced by
dynamic environmental change. With barrier islands that stretch along hundreds of miles of coastline,
from 20 to 40 miles offshore, these islands have been inhabited for thousands of years. This report is
an initial review of the complex, dynamic and fascinating maritime cultural landscape of the
"Graveyard of the Atlantic." To download a copy of the report click here.
December 4, 2014 - Sanctuary Advisory Council Elects New Officers
The Monitor NMS Advisory Council elected new officers to serve on the council for a term of two years. James (Jim) Bunch will now serve as the Chair, Stuart Katz was elected to serve as the Co-Chair and Joe Poe continues in his second term as Secretary. The Council also said a heartfelt 'thank you' to Susan Langley for serving as the Chair for two years, and a final farewell was given to Terri Kirby-Hathaway, Education Seat, as she leaves the SAC for new adventures.
December 3, 2014 - Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary will hold a public meeting of the sanctuary advisory council on December 3 at the sanctuary's office in Newport News, Virginia from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Public comments will be accepted between Noon and 12:30 pm. For more information on the role of the council and to download the agenda click here.
November 17, 2014 - Monitor NMS Seeking Applications for SAC Seats
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for three primary seats on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent. The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following primary seats: education, recreational/commercial fishing and youth. For more information and to download an application click here.
November 2, 2014 - Monitor NMS's Volunteer of the Year Receives Award
At the 2nd Annual Battle of the Atlantic Symposium held in Catharpia, Va., Monitor NMS staff awarded Bill Chadwell with the 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award. Mr. Chadwell was instrumental in organizing a team of volunteer divers to assist in the mapping and documenting of the merchant vessel Caribsea.
October 21, 2014 - NOAA Team Discovers U-576 and Bluefields
NOAA announces that a team of researchers led by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries have discovered two significant vessels from World War II's Battle of the Atlantic. The German U-boat 576 and the tanker Bluefields were found approximately 30 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Full Press Release. To learn more about the battle of the KS-520 and the discovery of the shipwrecks click here.
October 7, 2014 - NOAA and USCG Signed Formal Agreement for WWI Shipwreck Diamond Shoals Lightship
As a government vessel, the LV 71 is still owned by the United States and is managed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Under the agreement, NOAA, through nearby Monitor National Marine Sanctuary, will conduct work required under the National Historic Preservation Act to document the shipwreck's physical remains, nominate the site to the National Register of Historic Places, and partner with the local community and Coast Guard to share Diamond's story for the 100th anniversary of its sinking and beyond. Press Release.
September 17-20, 2014 - 10th Maritime Heritage Conference
Monitor NMS staff will participate this year in the 10th Maritime Heritage Conference hosted at Nauticus in Norfolk, Va. Key note speakers include Daniel J. Basta, Director, NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Admiral Robert J. Papp, USCG (ret.), former Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, and Dr. Ray Ashley, President/CEO, San Diego Maritime Museum. Best-selling adventure author Clive Cussler will be the featured speaker at the National Maritime Alliance Dinner. For more information click here.
September 3, 2014 - Monitor NMS Aborts Battle of the Atlantic Research Expedition
Weather delays got this year's expedition off to a slow start, but it was an AUV malfunction that caused NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary to cancel the remainder of the research expedition. All involved were disappointed, but are looking forward to planning for next summer.
August 28, 2014 - Monitor NMS Leads 7th Battle of the Atlantic Research Expedition
Beginning August 28, NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary will lead a research expedition with partnering organizations to study World War II shipwrecks sunk in 1942 off North Carolina during the Battle of the Atlantic. This summer marks the seventh year of the ongoing research project.
The primary focus this year is to acquire high resolution underwater surveys of the cargo shipwreck, Bluefields, and if weather and time permit, to search for the German U-boat, U-576, that sank the Bluefields. The expedition will stage and depart from Beaufort, N.C., and the platform vessel for the expedition is NOAA's SRVx Sand Tiger. To learn more about previous Battle of the Atlantic expeditions Click here. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook during the expedition.
August 26, 2014 - Outer Banks Trail and New Activity Guide
We invite you to visit the Outer Banks through a series of ten videos and seven oral histories that take you along Highway 12 to a series of iconic places that make the Outer Banks unique. From the lighthouses to the wildlife, to the shipwrecks offshore, the Outer Banks' rich maritime heritage, culture and surrounding marine environment are reflected. Click here for the Outer Banks Trail website. And teachers, check out the teacher section for the new accompanying activity guide for students grades 4-12.
August 19, 2014 - Monitor NMS and UNC Coastal Studies Institute to Host Teacher Workshop
Monitor NMS and UNC Coastal Studies Institute will host a free teacher workshop introducing new STEM maritime heritage curriculum for grades 6-12. The workshop will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at UNC CSI in Wanchese, N.C.
August 15, 2014 - Monitor NMS Seeking Applications for SAC Seats
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for three primary seats on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary management and provides advice to the sanctuary superintendent.
The sanctuary is accepting applications for the following seats: recreational/commercial fishing (two) and youth. For more information and to download an application click here.
August 9, 2014 - Monitor NMS to Host Open House Onboard SRVx Sand Tiger
NOAA's scientific research vessel SRVx Sand Tiger will be docked at Nauticus in Norfolk, Va., while conducting expeditions off Virginia's coast. On August 9, Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (MNMS) will host an open house for the public to tour the vessel. Put the date on your calendar, and stay tuned for details and times.
July 30-August 8, 2014 - Maritime Archaeological Expedition off Virginia's Coast
From July 30 through August 8, NOAA will collaborate with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and other agencies in an effort to survey and document areas offshore Virginia. Because some areas surveyed may prove to be archaeological resources, NOAA's maritime archaeologists will participate in the expedition. NOAA's SRVx Sand Tiger will serve as the expedition platform and will be docked at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk when not at sea.
July 15, 2014 - Preservice Teachers to Learn about Maritime Heritage
Preservice teachers, selected to participate in Virginia Space Grant Consortium's inSTEP program for future science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers, will spend the day learning about NOAA's rich maritime heritage program and the Monitor NMS's new curriculum available for teachers. The program takes place at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Va., where the teachers will learn more about the USS Monitor and its role in our nation's maritime history. They will design, build, and test ROVs while learning related STEM concepts.
July 14, 2014 - Campers at VIMS Explore Maritime Heritage
Middle school students attending summer camp at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) will explore the underwater world of shipwrecks and learn more about our nation's maritime heritage. They will also learn how remotely operated vehicles (ROV) aid maritime archaeologists in discovery and documenting shipwrecks. Finally, the students will design, build and test their own ROV.
July 11-13, 2014 - Watch Live Coverage of the Charles W. Morgan Voyage
American whaling ships once roamed the world's oceans by the thousands, pursuing whales for their oil and baleen. Today, there is only one ship left afloat from this once vast fleet. That ship, the Charles W. Morgan, is on a new mission this summer to connect Americans with their maritime heritage and help protect the same whales she once hunted. Watch live coverage as the ship sails through Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
For more information on the voyage and how to view the live feed click here.
July 3, 2014 - Monitor NMS to Host Showing of WWII Documentary
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (MNMS) will host a viewing of National Geographic's Hitler's Secret Attack on America at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Cape Hatteras on July 3 at 6:45 pm.
The film tells the story of WWII and captures NOAA's 2011 Battle of the Expedition where a film crew followed maritime archaeologists on their hunt for the U-576. The event will also feature a short talk by MNMS staff who will be available to answer questions following the film.
For more information on the museum and its location click here.
Volunteer Divers Support Caribsea Project
In support of the ongoing NOAA Battle of the Atlantic expedition, a group of 15 avocational divers joined NOAA divers in Beaufort, N.C., to survey and document the merchant vessel Caribsea. The divers are part of a non-profit, Battle of the Atlantic Research Expedition Group, and recently went through Nautical Archaeology Society (NAS) training taught by Monitor NMS staff. The 10-day expedition runs from May 23 until June 1 out of Beaufort N.C.
The volunteer divers will produce a comprehensive site map of the shipwreck. Using the site map, MNMS will then create a dive slate that will be given to local North Carolina dive shops and operators to be used as a guide for diving on the wreck site.
June 10-12, 2014 - Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW)
For more than a decade, CHOW has provided marine professionals, government officials, and ocean enthusiasts with unique venues to network with colleagues, advance policy goals, and mingle with ocean champions-all in the heart of Washington, D.C., at the NEWSEUM in the Knight Conference Center. For more information visit the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
June 5, 2014 - Sanctuary Advisory Council Meeting
NOAA's Monitor National Marine Sanctuary will hold a public meeting of the Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC) on June 5, 2014, in Room 204 at UNC Coastal Studies Institute located in Wanchese, N.C. The meeting will include a presentation by the Expansion Working Group to the SAC on their recommendations for potential expansion alternatives for the Sanctuary. The meeting is from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Public comments can be made from 1:00 to 1:30 pm.
May 29, 2014 - Monitor NMS to Host Showing of WWII Documentary
Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (MNMS) will host a viewing of National Geographic's Hitler's Secret Attack on America at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort on May 29 at 6:30 pm.
The film tells the story of WWII and captures NOAA's 2011 Battle of the Expedition where a film crew followed maritime archaeologists on their hunt for the U-576. The event will also feature a short talk by MNMS staff, including Joe Hoyt, Archaeologist, who led the 2011 expedition and is featured in the video. Mr. Hoyt will answer questions following the film.
For more information on the museum and its locations click here.
For more information about NOAA's 2011 Battle of the Atlantic Expeditions click here.
May 8-9, 2014 - North Carolina Students Dive into Maritime Heritage
Eighth-grade students at Walkertown Middle School in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools spent the day learning about the rich maritime heritage located off the North Carolina coast. More than 120 students and teachers participated over the course of two days. While learning about the USS Monitor and WWII shipwrecks, the students also learned about remotely operated vehicles (ROV), how they are used by NOAA and Monitor NMS, and how to design, build and test their own. Eighth-grade teacher, Brad Rhew, requested the program after attending Monitor NMS's ROV workshop at the NSTA conference in Charlotte last November. He applied and received a $1,000 grant to bring the ROV program to his school. Mr. Rhew is North Carolina's 2014 Outstanding K-8 Educator in STEM.