This episode was inspired by "Raise the Titanic!" Writer Ronald D. Moore started with the premise of a mystery ship from the past that holds a secret within it, and considered the consequences if Riker was on that ship-what was Will protecting?
After the Titanic is raised, a helicopter shot pans over the ship from stern to bow. This was also done in James Cameron's film, during the "King of the World" sequence, only vice versa.