Written by Ross Mumford, Reviewed by Tomasina Ray
The word “stewardship” is often used when discussing RMS Titanic Inc., but what does it truly mean? What does it mean to be a steward for Titanic?
When I first joined the Company in 2023, I had my own personal understanding of stewardship: to learn about, commemorate, and share Titanic’s story so that she and those who sailed on her are never forgotten. This definition guided me as I engaged with Titanic’s history and connected with researchers, authors, historians, societies, and enthusiasts from around the world. I continue to be inspired by their passionate dedication and uphold deep respect for their efforts in keeping Titanic’s legacy alive.
As I grew in my role with RMS Titanic Inc. (RMST), I came to understand that stewardship is much more than individual remembrance. It is an active, complex responsibility—one that Merriam-Webster defines as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” Since being entrusted with the stewardship of Titanic’s wrecksite and the artifacts recovered from it, RMST has demonstrated a legacy of stewardship in many capacities for nearly 40 years.
Stewardship of the Wrecksite
RMS Titanic Inc. has conducted more expeditions to Titanic’s resting place than any other organization. Beginning with our first mission in 1987, we have consistently monitored the Ship’s condition, meticulously documenting the site for both scientific and historical purposes. That same year, the Company began mapping the ocean floor and charting the position of the wreck and her scattered artifacts. In 1998, RMST completed the first full photomosaics of both the bow and stern. In 2010, we completed the first comprehensive sonar scan, creating what remains today the definitive map of the debris field. Most recently, in 2024, we captured over two million images in our most ambitious mapping expedition to date, which will enable us to study the wreck in close detail and track environmental impact and structural changes over time.
With increased activity at the site—whether by filmmakers, researchers, or tourists—comes increased risk to Titanic’s structural integrity. That is why our documentation efforts are more critical than ever. RMST follows strict standards for our expeditions and wrecksite interaction. We do not disturb the Ship’s two hull sections and recover only select artifacts from the surrounding debris field, specifically those that enhance historical understanding or complete narrative gaps in the collection. These guidelines are complemented by governmental regulations and court-directed Covenants and Conditions that we rigorously follow as part of our obligations as salvor-in-possession.
Stewardship of the Collection
Stewardship also extends far beyond the wrecksite. RMST is the sole legal custodian of the more than 5,500 Titanic artifacts that we have recovered over the past 38 years. One facet of stewardship is that we are responsible for the lifetime care of each artifact.
Conservation begins immediately upon recovery and may continue for years before an artifact is fully stabilized, guided by highly trained conservators specializing in particular materials and their unique needs. Whether metal, ceramic, fabric, or leather, each item requires specific conservation techniques to ensure its long-term stability. This ongoing conservation work not only preserves artifacts physically but also enables deeper historical research. Every piece has a story to tell, and through careful analysis, we continue to uncover new insights about Titanic, her passengers and crew, and the world she sailed in.
Stewardship Through Public Access
Stewardship also means sharing these preserved artifacts and their stories with the public. RMST achieves this through TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition, which appears in rotating international locations and at two permanent exhibitions in the United States. By presenting these artifacts in a public setting, RMST ensures the collection remains an intact, inseparable record of the past while also making it accessible. The presence of real objects—pieces of Titanic herself—allows visitors to engage personally with the Ship’s history and feel a direct connection to those who were on board.
Behind the scenes, this work is carried out by our dedicated Collections team of curators, registrars, conservators, and researchers who meticulously track the condition of each artifact. Every movement, from storage to exhibition, is documented. Each change is recorded, and conservation needs are regularly assessed. The same diligence applies to the vast media archive collected from our nine expeditions; high-resolution imagery, scans, and video are all catalogued and backed up by our media registrar, protecting these records for future generations.
A Legacy of Responsibility
Stewardship, as practiced by RMS Titanic Inc., goes far beyond simply honoring the past; it is about ensuring Titanic’s future. It means actively engaging with Titanic’s history, protecting the integrity of the wrecksite, conserving and interpreting artifacts, conducting and supporting new research, and sharing this knowledge widely and respectfully.
We are proud to embrace this multifaceted role. Though we cannot control nature or the ocean’s long-term effects, we remain steadfast in our mission. Alongside Titanic societies, maritime institutions, and passionate individuals around the world, we will continue to protect and pass on her legacy—accurately, reverently, and enthusiastically—to the next generation of explorers.
