The Sunken Military Craft Inventory: Navy Sinking Exercise (SINKEX) Vessels and the Challenge of Dynamic Research

Author(s): Alicia Massey

Year: 2016

Summary

The new Sunken Military Craft Act regulations encouraged a reexamination of the Sunken Military Craft Inventory (SMCI). SMCI research is a dynamic process that continues to expand the management of sunken military craft overtime. The SMCI was challenged on 7 July 2014 when Nautilus Live discovered the USS Peterson (DD-969) in the Gulf of Mexico. The USS Peterson was a Navy sinking exercise (SINKEX) vessel that was intentionally sunk on 16 February 2004.  This discovery prompted detailed research into the SINKEX program, which from 1999 to present has been simultaneously monitored by the Navy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The research revealed that less standardized SINKEX events began as far back as the early 20th century. Currently, the findings feature a collection of one hundred forty-four SINKEX vessels within the SMCI. As new research discoveries occur, the SMCI continues to develop and influence the management of sunken military craft.    

Cite this Record

The Sunken Military Craft Inventory: Navy Sinking Exercise (SINKEX) Vessels and the Challenge of Dynamic Research. Alicia Massey. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, Washington, D.C. 2016 ( tDAR id: 434309)

Keywords

Temporal Keywords
1900-PRESENT

Spatial Coverage

min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 794