through the Underwater Archaeology and Conservation programme at the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

The Maritime Museum's international archeology academic connection is more than fifteen years old with graduate field schools from East Carolina University and the College of William and Mary.

Spokespersons said Bermuda provides a unique environment where wrecks from every period in the Western hemisphere are found.

The majority of research is centred around surveying for a site plan and creating pictorial records of shipwrecks and archeological finds.

Currently, there are three graduate interns working at the museum from Canada, the US and Russia.

And organisers said as the programmes grow they planned to involve more local applicants.

This upcoming year, the museum is planning five shipwreck projects and special interest groups will include military divers, Earthwatch and the Maritime Archeological and Historical Society.

Applications are accepted on a year-round basis for periods between six weeks and three months.