To increase knowledge and interest in the maritime history of the region, A. Ben-Eli founded the National Maritime Museum in 1953. The museum exhibits the largest and most important marine archaeological collection in Israel. The collection is based mainly on local finds revealed by the AURI, the MAB and the CMS (RIMS). The collections include: ship graffiti, ship models, storage jars, anchors, coins, stamps, maps, navigational instruments, ship cargoes, fishing devices and marine weapons, including the bronze battering ram recovered off the Atlit coast.

The museum maintains a workshop for restoration and model building, and carries out ongoing educational programs and workshops for school children and adults.