Underwater excavations have been carried out on five significantly different ships, discovered within the territorial waters of the Dominican Republic. Finds have been used to document early records and documents from the colonial period. The purpose of the Comisión de Rescate Arqueologico Submarino is identified. To fulfill the aims of the commission, immediate plans have included the establishment of a Colonial Maritime Museum in Santo Domingo and the training of Dominican personnel to undertake archaeological and conservation work. Problems thus far encountered are mentioned.