“The Titanic is in greater peril than ever before,” said Robert Ballard, a professor of oceanography at the University of Rhode Island. Ballard said he’s documented the destruction that began after he discovered the ship’s final resting place in 1985.

Greed is the driving force, with items like cork-filled life jackets from the Titanic selling at auction for $70,000 or more. Another culprit, Ballard said, “are these tourist submarines that are landing on the deck.” “You don’t go to the Louvre and touch the Mona Lisa,” he said.