Hans Van Tilburg has a background of diving instructor, commercial diver, and academic science diver. He has a BA in geography (University of California Berkeley 1985), MA in maritime archaeology and history (East Carolina University 1995), and PhD in Asia-Pacific history (University of Hawai`i 2002) where he also ran a graduate program in maritime archaeology and history (1996-2002). Hans has taught numerous university courses in world history and maritime history, and has served as a consultant for UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage program, as well as co-instructor for UCH Foundation courses. He is currently the maritime heritage coordinator for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries in the Pacific Islands region, responsible for the assessment and preservation of historical, archaeological and cultural resources within U.S. federally managed waters. Hans is co-chair of the Asia-Pacific Regional Underwater Cultural Heritage Conference and bureau member of ICOMOS-ICUCH.