Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources

Established in 1973, the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) is the sole trustee of the Commonwealth's underwater heritage, promoting and protecting the public's interests in these resources for recreational, economic, environmental, and historical purposes.

Director of the Board Victor Mastone (right) and former Deputy Director David Trubey

The nine member state Board is part of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. At this time, Board members are: the State Archaeologist (designee: Lenny Loparto), the State Archivist (designee: Terry French), the Director of Waterways (Martha King), the Director of Coastal Zone Management (designee: Joe Pelczarski), the Director of Environmental Law Enforcement (designee: John Tulik or Jerry Santos), Executive Director of the Massachusetts Historical Commission (designee: Ed Bell or Jonathan Patton), and three gubernatorial appointees who include one Marine Archaeologist (Brendan Foley), and two representatives of the diving community (Marcie Bilinski and John Hoagland). Board members serve without compensation. The Director of the Board is Victor Mastone and the Deputy Director of the Board is vacant.

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 6, sections 179-180, and Chapter 91, section 63, the Board is charged with the responsibility of encouraging the discovery and reporting, as well as the preservation and protection, of underwater archaeological resources. Generally, those resources are defined as abandoned property, artifacts, treasure troves, and shipwrecks which have remained unclaimed for over 100 years, or exceed a value of $5,000, or are judged by the Board to be of historical value. The Commonwealth holds title to these resources and retains regulatory authority over their use. The Board's jurisdiction extends over the inland and coastal waters of the state.

No person may remove, displace, damage or destroy any underwater archaeological resource except in conformity with permits issued by the Board. The three types of permits are: Reconnaissance Permits (PDF, 180 KB) - for the non-destructive inspection and identification of underwater archaeological resources and are characterized by minimum site disturbance; Excavation Permits (PDF, 211 KB) - to uncover and/or remove underwater archaeological resources through the use of disruptive investigation techniques; and Special Use Permits (PDF, 107 KB) (restricted to qualified archaeologists) – for environmental review, public planning, and scientific research projects. Permittees range from individual sport divers to corporate ventures. Permit requirements and standards are outlined in the Board's Regulations (312 CMR 2.0-2.15) (PDF, 188 KB).

To deal with certain types of artifact discoveries, the Board's regulations provide an exemption from the permit process for isolated finds and exempted sites. In order to obtain title to an isolated find, an Isolated Find application form (PDF, 228 KB) along with a map indicating the location of the find must be submitted to the Board. There is no application fee for an isolated find.

The purpose in creating an exempted shipwreck site is to preserve such sites for the continued enjoyment of the recreational diving community. Recreational diving activities, including casual artifact collection, on exempted shipwreck sites does not require a permit from the Board. However, any major disruption of the site is prohibited. The List of Exempt Shipwrecks is open to modification. The recreational diving community is encouraged to protect these sites for the continued enjoyment of all.

The Board may establish underwater archaeological preserves. The purpose of underwater archaeological preserves is to recognize and protect those resources of substantial archaeological and/or historical value. While access for recreational, scientific and historical purposes is guaranteed, collecting will not be allowed except for scientific or historical purposes, and the artifacts remain the permanent property of the Commonwealth.

Board meetings are held on a bi-monthly basis, generally on the last Thursday of the month. Meetings are open to the public and are usually held in Boston. The Board welcomes your comments and encourages you to attend its meetings.

The Board also provides educational programs for K-12 students, history and dive clubs, and other interested participants. A library/resource center, school visits, speakers, and volunteer opportunities are available.

Contact the Board

If you would like a copy of the Board's Statute, Regulations, List of Exempt Sites, or Permit Applications, want to know the date and location of Board meetings, or have any questions about the Board, contact:

Victor Mastone, Director
Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02114-2199
Telephone: 617-626-1141
Fax: 617-626-1240
E-mail: victor.mastone@state.ma.us