The laboratory, headed by Dr. Deborah Cvikel, focuses on ship construction, seamanship and ship handling, and maritime history, based on underwater excavations and research of shipwrecks. The team is also engaged in conservation of waterlogged wood and organic material from the sea, and archaeometallurgical study of metal finds retrieved from shipwrecks and wreck-sites.

Dr. Cvikel is the active director of the replica project ‒building and sailing a replica of the 5th century BCE Ma‘agan Mikhael ship.