Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology

Spring 2026 ACUA Student Newsletter Now Available

The spring 2026 issue of the ACUA Student Newsletter is now available! Read all about the great student led research by Matías Javier Kalina – Calm Waters Run Deep, Baseline documentation project of a visible shipwreck at Olivos Port, Argentina; Elizabeth White – Pollen analysis from Emanuel Point I Shipwreck Sediments; and Hope Bridgeman – Shell Deposit Formations of Devils Point in Escambia Bay, Escambia County, FL. There is also news about the GSA hosted Spotlight on Student Research session for the 2026 SHA Conference in Austin, TX. Calling all interested students to register and present!

2026 ACUA Student Travel Awards – Congratulations

ACUA & RECON Offshore Student Travel Award

Mikiko Robinson from University of West Florida is the winner of the 2026 ACUA & RECON Offshore Student Travel Award for the Detroit, Michigan conference. Learn more about this award and meet Mikiko.

Mikiko Robinson, ACUA Chair Jen McKinnon, RECON Offshore Principle Michael Krivor (L-R)

George R. Fischer Student Travel Award

Zi-Qi Chew is a PhD candidate in the Department of Anthropology at University of California, San Diego. is the winner of the 2026 George R. Fischer Student Travel award for the Detroit, Michigan conference. Learn more about this award and meet Zi-Qi

Zi-Qi Chew and ACUA Chair Jen McKinnon (L-R)

Martin Klein Award for the Development and Application of Technology in Support of Underwater Archaeology

The inaugural recipient for the Klein Award is Dr. Kotaru Yamafune, who has pioneered the development of modern photogrammetric methodologies in the field of underwater archaeology. Dr. Yamafune completed his dissertation on the subject of underwater photogrammetry in 2016 from Texas A&M University. Since then, he has made it his mission to educate the current and next generation of underwater archaeologists in the methodology. He began a for-profit photogrammetry business in Japan with the explicit goal of funding his volunteer time on archaeological projects around the world. He has run dozens upon dozens of training programs and workshops for non-profits, agencies, and universities, often at his own expense. Importantly, the training has evolved to include new and innovative advancements for making photogrammetry more precise and more applicable to archaeological research questions. Read more about Kota and his ground breaking contribution to underwater archaeology.

7th Sort-of-Annual Noble Duck Race Winners

The winners are: 1st Place Pacific Legacy trained by Scott Strimling, 2nd Place Sarah Holland, and 3rd Place Michael Tuttle.

The 7th Sort-of-Annual Noble Duck Race was on Saturday, January 31, in Pensacola, Florida. Despite bitter cold and biting wind – seriously, frozen iguanas were falling out of the trees – nearly 300 ducks raced in the Holiday Inn Pensacola Beach Resort’s Lazy River pool. The ducks battled icebergs, waterfalls, gale-force winds, and pool noodles in a fierce competition for naval supremacy. Duck #112, owned by Pacific Legacy and trained by Scott Strimling, ultimately prevailed for 1st Place, followed by #248, owned by Sarah Holland, and #209, ridden by Michael Tuttle, to claim the honors this year. Nearly $3000 were raised, with all proceeds going to the ACUA’s student support programs. Many thanks to Holiday Inn Pensacola for allowing use of their racetrack, and especially to everyone who purchased a duck! For more information about the duck race, check out https://acuaonline.org/sort-of-annual-noble-duck-race/. To see this year’s race and previous floatings, as well as cool underwater archaeology vids, visit ACUA’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@advisorycouncilunderwaterarch/videos

Photo and Video Contest Winners Announced

Congratulations and thank you to all of the photographers and videographers for submitting 18 amazing photographs and 3 great videos! To see all of the images and videos and the winning entries visit the contest page at Photo Contest 2026 and share the results with your friends and colleagues. You made the Detroit contest one of the best ever!

2025 ACUA Proceedings Available

The 2025 Underwater Archaeology Proceedings, edited by Della Scott-Ireton and Douglas Jones is now available for sale. Visit the ACUA Storefront and get your ePub ($15USD) or Hard Copy ($25USD).

Recent Deep Thoughts

Citizen Science and Metal Hulled Sailing Vessels in English Waters

Are you interested in shipwreck research? Do you have time to volunteer no matter where you are in the world? The Maritime Archaeology Trust would like to invite you to help them out. Read all about this great opportunity.

Training Recreational Scuba Divers as Qualified Volunteers for Maritime Archeology Projects.

The Maritime Archaeology and Historical Society is a long time institutional member of the ACUA.. Steven Anthony, current president, reflects on the history, contributions, and important role of well trained volunteers to the protection of underwater cultural heritage. Read all about it.

Core Principles

Ethics, respect, diversity, and equity are the core principles around which we should all strive to lead our professional and personal lives. The ACUA strongly encourages all professional organizations to promote ethical principles, non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-racist policies among their memberships.

Vision Statement

The ACUA serves as an international advisory body on issues relating to underwater archaeology, conservation, and submerged cultural resources management. It is working to educate scholars, governments, sport divers, and the general public about underwater archaeology and the preservation of underwater resources.