RADM De Bow was appointed into the NOAA Corps in 1976 . His career has focused on NOAA 's mission to ensure safe navigation . He has served aboard three NOAA hydrographic survey ships that acquire data to update the nation ’s nautical charts , and two mobile hydrographic field units . Hydrographic surveys accurately determine least water depths and locate obstructions and other dangers to navigation on the sea floor . His last sea tour was as commanding officer of the NOAA Ship RUDE ; under his direction , RUDE located the wreckage of TWA Flight 800 after the jet ’s disastrous crash in 1996 . During his career , RADM De Bow has conducted hydrographic surveys throughout the coastal waters of the United States , including Alaska . While in graduate school , he was an NOAA exchange hydrographer , working with the Norwegian Hydrographic Service in Stavanger , Norway
TWA Flight 800
TWA Flight 800
Samuel P. De Bow Jr.