National Underwater and Marine Agency or NUMA logo
The National Underwater and Marine Agency, or "NUMA", is a government organization in the Dirk Pitt series. NUMA is devoted to oceanic exploration and investigation, and is the agency employing the main characters throughout the series.
Description[]
Its headquarters is a 30-story building located on the east bank of the Potomac River, overlooking the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.. The agency comprises over five thousand employees and scientists that often work around the clock on expeditions. It is often referred to as a marine version of NASA, although it mission seems to be a cross of NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard.
NUMA is headed by Admiral James "Jim" Sandecker, with Rudi Gunn as second in command, although Dirk Pitt is eventually asked to take over when Sandecker pursues the vice-presidency.
Admiral James Sandecker as the Head of NUMA
Housed inside this headquarters is one of world's most advanced computer systems which contains almost every known piece of information, both current and ancient, about the sea. The computer center takes up the entire 10th floor but is in an "open" setting with a raised circular platform that uses a hologram to display Hiram Yeager's computer's embodiment, named Max, at its center. There are no cubicles, and Hiram Yeager designed, runs, and maintains the lab.