The Maritime Research Division offers both diver and non-divers opportunities to participate in maritime archaeology projects as volunteers. Volunteers assist in all aspects of projects, including surveying tasks, hull documentation, and artifact cataloging. Under the supervision of Division staff, volunteers have also conducted local underwater archaeology projects, given lectures and presentations, as well as produced project reports. For more information on these volunteer projects, please visit our Avocational Projects page. We also use volunteers for many of our education and outreach initiatives, from setting up for courses to being a part of public events to promote South Carolina maritime heritage. Becoming a volunteer is a way to take an active role in preserving South Carolina maritime history.
For any questions or concerns regarding volunteering, please call us at (803) 576-6563 or email mrd@sc.edu.
The Maritime Research Division also offers internships for currently enrolled students. Internships take place at our Columbia Office and can not taken for credit through your college of university. Interns can work on a variety of projects but must commit to a minimum of 6 hours a week. Internships address one of three areas, research, conservation, or documentation. Specific projects need to be completed but we can work with you to direct an internship toward a specific interest.
For any questions or concerns regarding internships, please call us at (803) 576-6563 or email Will Nassif at wnassif@sc.edu.
To qualify as a volunteer diver with the Division you must meet several requirements:
- You must be a certified diver from a recognized accrediting agency
- You must have black water/low visibility experience
- You must be First Aid/CPR and O2 certified
- You must have passed a physical in the last 3 years (within 2 years for over 60 years of age)
- You must have supplemental diving insurance
Below are the forms you will need to fill our and return to us to be considered for diving with the Division: