A group of American scientists are exploring the remains of a Nazi German U-boat that was sunk more that 11 kilometers away from the U.S. coast. The five-day exploration, which began on Tuesday, is meant to uncover the effects of such wreckage on the world's oceans and seas.

The German sub has been identified as U-853. It was defeated by the combined forces of the U.S. coast guard and navy during the closing days of Germany's surrender. Before its destruction, U-853 destroyed its last ship, the SS Black Point.

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The researchers are using small underwater vehicles to assess the U-boat, the SS Black Point and their surroundings. The project is being conducted by the Coast Guard Academy and the Ocean Exploration Trust as well as the University of Rhode Island.

Rhode Island University representative Dwight Coleman said that the ongoing project presents a number of demands both on the equipment used and the crew operating them.

The researchers were hampered by the weather. When the submersible reached the bottom where the German sub was located, it could not send a clear picture due to the murkiness of the water.

Viewers were able to witness the underwater exploration through the PBS television stations and social viewing site such as YouTube. The researchers believe that their videos will help inspire and educate the audience.

Coleman said despite their efforts, technical difficulties have prevented them from presenting a better view of the U-boat. However, he assured the public that the U-853 and the SS Black Point are still there.

Because of the uncooperative weather and the technical problems on both wreckage, the team decided to explore a coal transport ship that sunk during the early years of the 20^th century.

The researchers first obtained the permission of the German government and promised not to make physical contact with U-853. Despite the end of World War II almost seven decades ago, the sunken U-boat is still German property and has been declared a grave for the soldiers who died inside it.

The team are also cautious in their exploration of the submarine since it contains and surrounded by a number of explosives including torpedoes and depth charges.

TagsGErman U-boat, U-853, SS Black Point, ocean exploartion trust, us coast guard academy, university of rhode island, pbs television station, World War II, German surrender, German war grave