Search Results (156)

Oil tanker shipwrecks represent both cultural heritage and environmental risk. These wrecks are historically significant as war graves and simultaneously pose long-term threats to marine ecosystems through the potential release of petroleum cargo. During World War II, German U-boats targeted tankers along the U.S. East Coast, especially during Operation Drumbeat in 1942. Hundreds of tankers were sunk globally, and many of these wrecks remain intact and retain much of their fuel cargo, classifying them as potentially polluting wrecks (PPWs) which could release millions of gallons of oil if hull structures collapse. Tankers developed from modified sailing ships to standardized steel designs, highlighting petroleum’s strategic importance in modern warfare. The wrecks of these vessels exemplify the intersection of maritime archeology and environmental conservation, demanding urgent interdisciplinary study to safeguard ecosystems while preserving ocean heritage. Full article

The SS Thistlegorm, a British World War II cargo vessel sunk in 1941 in the Red Sea, is one of the world’s most visited wreck dives, attracting thousands of divers annually. This popularity has accelerated structural deterioration and artefact loss through unsustainable mooring practices, looting, and unintentional diver impacts. The Thistlegorm Project—a collaboration between Alexandria University and the University of Edinburgh—conducted high-resolution underwater photogrammetric surveys in 2017 and 2022 to create the first comprehensive baseline for monitoring change. Comparative analysis revealed both subtle and significant alterations to the wreck and its debris field, including displacement of heavy structures, artefact removal, and expanded mapping of the debris field to 21.9 ha. The study demonstrates how repeat photogrammetry enables precise documentation of deterioration, informs conservation strategies, and supports heritage management in high-traffic dive sites. The Thistlegorm serves as a model for integrating digital recording, site monitoring, and collaborative stewardship of underwater cultural heritage. Full article

From the perspective of sustainable marine environmental management, the threats posed by shipwrecks to navigation and the environment, as well as the difficulty of intervening in them, highlight the importance of a detailed risk assessment. Therefore, the safe management of wreck sites remains an ongoing study issue. However, international regulatory frameworks for maritime use have not established a direct distance standard for the possibility of interaction with wrecks. This study aims to contribute to the calculation of safety distances by examining safe management strategies against the potential risks of shipwrecks from a technical perspective. A mathematical approach was proposed for determining the minimum safety distance required, taking into account the position of the sunken ship on the seabed and the possibility of contact at anchor, which is relatively higher than at sea. This was applied in a risk assessment conducted using case studies of different conditions, and a set of risk measures was added, specifying the required safety distance for each risk. Then, scenarios with and without this intervention option were compared based on the ALARP principle. The results show that it is possible to reduce risk scores with less effort in situations where the response option with a safety margin is included. Full article

This paper presents a rare example of the conservation of a piece of marine oval-shaped tableware, commonly known as a ‘cloche’, made of nickel silver with silver electroplating that was recovered in 2006 from the 19th-century Patris paddle-wheel shipwreck in Greece. Our study found that the cloche is made of two components of differing compositions of nickel-silver alloy, also known as German silver: a forged body and a cast handle, joined by lead soldering. The body also has an impressed decorative stamp bearing the ‘Greek Steamship’ signature in Greek. The condition assessment found the object was covered in thick concretion formations and suffered galvanic corrosion, along with dealloying, resulting in redeposition of copper. The conservation treatment carried out in 2007 is detailed along with diagnostic examination using microscopic analysis, radiographic imaging, and chemical analysis of the corrosion and metal, using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). The conservation of the object involved mechanical and chemical methods (formic acid 5–10% v/v, stabilisation treatment with sodium sesquicarbonate 1% w/v), including spot electrolysis, and the object was coated with 15% w/v Paraloid B72 in acetone. Since its conservation, the object has been on display in the Industrial Museum of Hermoupolis in Syros. In 2025, the object was inspected for its coated surface as well as to carry out pXRF again with a more advanced system to better understand the alloy composition of the object. These results are presented here for this unique object. Full article

Studies of microbial degradation of historic woods are essential to help protect and preserve these important cultural properties. The USS Cairo is a historic Civil War gunboat and one of the first steam-powered and ironclad ships used in the American Civil War. Built in 1861, the ship sank in the Yazoo River of Mississippi in 1862 after a mine detonated and tore a hole in the port bow. The ship remained on the river bottom and was gradually buried with sediments for over 98 years. After recovery of the ship, it remained exposed to the environment before the first roofed structure was completed in 1980, and it has been displayed under a tensile fabric canopy with open sides at the Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Concerns over the long-term preservation of the ship initiated this investigation to document the current condition of the wooden timbers, identify the fungi that may be present, and determine the elemental composition resulting from past wood-preservative treatments. Micromorphological characteristics observed using scanning electron microscopy showed that many of the timbers were in advanced stages of degradation. Eroded secondary cell walls leaving a weak framework of middle lamella were commonly observed. Soft rot attack was prevalent, and evidence of white and brown rot degradation was found in some wood. DNA extraction and sequencing of the ITS region led to the identification of a large group of diverse fungi that were isolated from ship timbers. Soft rot fungi, including Alternaria, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Xylaria and others, and white rot fungi, including Bjerkandera, Odontoefibula, Phanerodontia, Phlebiopsis, Trametes and others, were found. No brown rot fungi were isolated. Elemental analyses using induced coupled plasma spectroscopy revealed elevated levels of all elements as compared to sound modern types of wood. High concentrations of boron, copper, iron, lead, zinc and other elements were found, and viable fungi were isolated from this wood. Biodegradation issues are discussed to help long-term conservation efforts to preserve the historic ship for future generations. Full article

Historically, the Mediterranean Sea has been an area of cultural exchange and maritime commerce. One out of many submerged archaeological sites is the Roman shipwreck that was discovered in 2006 off the coast of Santo Stefano al Mare, in the Ligurian Sea, Italy. The wreck was dated to the 1st century B.C. and consists of a well-preserved cargo ship of Roman amphorae that were likely used for transporting wine. In this study, we present the results of the first underwater survey of the wreck using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) industrialized by Graal Tech. The AUV was equipped with a NORBIT WBMS multibeam sonar, a 450 kHz side-scan sonar, and inertial navigation systems. The AUV conducted multiple high-resolution surveys on the wreck site and the collected data were processed using geospatial analysis methods to highlight local anomalies directly related to the presence of the Roman shipwreck. The main feature was an accumulation of amphorae, covering an area of approximately 10 × 7 m with a maximum height of 1 m above the seabed. The results of this interdisciplinary work demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating AUV technologies with spatial analysis techniques for underwater archaeological applications. Furthermore, the success of this mission highlighted the potential for broader applications of AUVs in the study of the seafloor, such as monitoring seabed movements related to offshore underground energy storage or the identification of objects lying on the seabed, such as cables or pipelines. Full article

The objective of this article is to provide a critical analysis of maritime heterotopia as a category for reinterpreting ships, shipwrecks and maritime landscapes between the 16th and 18th centuries. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining history, underwater archaeology, heritage theory and literary analysis, it explores the ways in which maritime spaces, especially ships and shipwrecks, functioned as ‘other spaces’–following Foucault’s concept of heterotopia–in the articulation of imperial projects, power relations, experiences of transit and narratives of memory. A particular focus has been placed on the examination of shipwreck accounts, which are regarded as microhistories of human behaviour in contexts of crisis. These accounts have been shown to offer insights into alternative social structures, dynamics of authority, and manifestations of violence or solidarity. A review of the legal framework and practices related to shipwrecks in the Spanish Carrera de Indias is also undertaken, with particular emphasis on their impact on maritime legislation and international law. This article proposes a reading of maritime heritage as a symbolic and political device in constant dispute, where material remains and associated narratives shape collective memories, geopolitical tensions and new forms of cultural appropriation. Shipwrecks thus become sites of rupture and origin, charged with utopian, dystopian and heterotopic potential. Full article

Calcareous deposits on and within corrosion products tend to inhibit the (abiotic) corrosion of steels in seawater. Herein, it was considered whether this inhibition effect extends to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) for extended (long-term) exposure periods. Quantitative estimates of corrosion rates were made from reported observations for 46 iron and steel shipwrecks, and other iron and steel objects immersed in seawater at various depths and for extended periods (many around 60 years and some up to 160 years). The observations are correlated with observations of the occurrence of calcareous deposits and information about dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), a critical micronutrient for MIC. The results show that calcareous deposits can inhibit both long-term abiotic corrosion and long-term corrosion influenced by conditions suitable for MIC. The practical implications are briefly reviewed. Full article

This study presents a finite element-based numerical simulation of a shipwreck scenario at the 4th-century BC underwater archaeological site near the island of Žirje, integrating engineering analysis with archaeological interpretation. The site is notable for the wide scattering of amphorae across the seafloor. A scaled model, based on the well-documented Kyrenia shipwreck, found off the coast of Cyprus, was developed to approximate the estimated parameters of the Žirje vessel, incorporating reduced dimensions, an adjusted freeboard, and a total deadweight of approximately six tons. The finite element model of the ship, its cargo, and the seabed was developed using LS-DYNA R11.1. software. Instead of fluid modelling, the study employed explicit dynamic analysis with a rigid seabed, gravitational loading, and automatic contact to reduce computational cost. A series of parametric simulations explored the effects of roll, yaw, and varying gravitational forces on the sinking behaviour and cargo dispersion. Results indicate that only certain non-uniform sinking conditions, combined with seabed currents, accurately replicate the archaeological distribution of the amphorae. This approach underscores the value of integrating finite element analysis (FEA) with archaeological data to generate digitally supported hypotheses, demonstrating how numerical reconstruction can enhance the interpretation of complex underwater archaeological sites. Full article

In addition to their historical relevance, underwater sites of cultural heritage (e.g., shipwrecks, archeological sites) represent secondary habitats for marine life. However, despite a growing interest in their ecological role, studies focusing on these artificial environments remain limited. In this study, we performed the first systematic assessment of the marine biodiversity associated with the submerged structures of the ancient roman port of Egnazia. In particular, we conducted a seasonal (summer 2022 and winter 2023) comparative analysis of the qualitative and quantitative variations in the observed nektonic and benthic taxa between the submerged piers and two surrounding control areas. For benthopelagic and vagile benthic taxa, two seasonal samplings with four transects (of 10 m × 4 m) and three replicates per transect were conducted to analyze taxon diversity, abundance, and variability of individual size. The photo-quadrat method was employed to characterize sessile benthic taxa, using PVC frames measuring 40 cm × 40 cm, randomly placed on the study substrates with 20 replicates for each pier and the two controls. Our results highlight the occurrence of 75 taxa (67 associated with the submerged piers and 63 with the surrounding control areas), including 17 benthopelagic species, 26 vagile benthic and 32 sessile benthic taxa. Overall, our findings highlight that the submerged ancient structures of Egnazia represent a stable and functional marine habitat, promoting an increase in the local biodiversity and abundance of individuals of different species. Full article

Archaeological research fundamentally relies on detecting features to uncover hidden historical information. Airborne (aerial) LiDAR technology has significantly advanced this field by providing high-resolution 3D terrain maps that enable the identification of ancient structures and landscapes with improved accuracy and efficiency. This technical note comprehensively reviews 45 recent studies to critically examine the integration of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) techniques, particularly Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), with airborne LiDAR derivatives for automated archaeological feature detection. The review highlights the transformative potential of these approaches, revealing their capability to automate feature detection and classification, thus enhancing efficiency and accuracy in archaeological research. CNN-based methods, employed in 32 of the reviewed studies, consistently demonstrate high accuracy across diverse archaeological features. For example, ancient city walls were delineated with 94.12% precision using U-Net, Maya settlements with 95% accuracy using VGG-19, and with an IoU of around 80% using YOLOv8, and shipwrecks with a 92% F1-score using YOLOv3 aided by transfer learning. Furthermore, traditional ML techniques like random forest proved effective in tasks such as identifying burial mounds with 96% accuracy and ancient canals. Despite these significant advancements, the application of ML/DL in archaeology faces critical challenges, including the scarcity of large, labeled archaeological datasets, the prevalence of false positives due to morphological similarities with natural or modern features, and the lack of standardized evaluation metrics across studies. This note underscores the transformative potential of LiDAR and ML/DL integration and emphasizes the crucial need for continued interdisciplinary collaboration to address these limitations and advance the preservation of cultural heritage. Full article

This study provides an up-to-date assessment of the environmental status in the area of the S/s Stuttgart wreck in the southern Baltic Sea, focusing on macrozoobenthos, sediment chemistry, and contamination in Mytilus trossulus soft tissues. Comparative analyses from 2016 and 2023 revealed increased species richness and distinct benthic assemblages, shaped primarily by depth and distance from the wreck. Among macrozoobenthos, there dominated opportunistic species, characterized by a high degree of resistance to the unfavorable state of the environment, suggesting adaptation to local conditions. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals were detected in sediments, with maximum values of Cd—0.85 mg·kg⁻¹, Cu—34 mg·kg⁻¹, Zn—119 mg·kg⁻¹, and Ni—32.3 mg·kg⁻¹. However, no significant correlations between sediment contamination and macrozoobenthos composition were found. In Mytilus trossulus, contaminant levels were mostly within regulatory limits; however, mercury concentrations reached 0.069 mg·kg⁻¹ wet weight near the wreck and 0.493 mg·kg⁻¹ at the reference station, both exceeding the threshold defined in national legislation (0.02 mg·kg⁻¹) (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 568). Condition indices for Macoma balthica were lower in the wreck area, suggesting sublethal stress. Ecotoxicological tests showed no acute toxicity in most sediment samples, emphasizing the complexity of pollutant effects. The data presented here not only enrich the existing literature on marine pollution but also contribute to the development of more effective environmental protection strategies for marine ecosystems under international protection. Full article

This article focuses on the story of a pirogue shipwreck that occurred in early September 2024, less than two miles from the coast of Mbour, about 90 km south of Dakar. It traces an ethnographic account of that tragic event through the lenses of different voices, standpoints, and testimonies from the survivors, the relatives and friends of the victims, and those involved in the organization of both the aborted ocean crossing and the rescue operations in various ways. By situating this extreme story of “potential migrants” among other accounts of migrants who disappeared at sea and of missing pirogues, the focus shifts to the different weights and possibilities of movement when dealing with disappearance and death, the unknown and known facts, addressing that which remains unknown even within this unambiguous and tragic event. Faced with the dense plot of ties at the core of that failed escape, we suggest that the reasons for the shipwreck are excess demand and solidarity, in terms of the impossibility of denying passage onboard the boat to friends, relatives, and neighbors. “On est ensemble” is therefore a way to recognize that there is no clear distinction or distance between captain and passengers, survivors and the dead, or victims and spectators, since in Mbour, everyone perfectly understands both the reasons and the risks, and the reason for the risks, of any illegal attempt to cross sea and land borders towards Europe. Full article

This study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution of oil released during the Agia Zoni II shipwreck in the Saronic Gulf in 2017, employing the OpenOil module of the OpenDrift framework. The simulation integrates oceanographic and meteorological data to model the transport, weathering, and fate of spilled oil over a six-day period. Oil behavior is examined across key transformation processes, including dispersion, emulsification, evaporation, and biodegradation, using particle-based modeling and a comprehensive set of environmental inputs. The modeled results are validated against in situ observations and visual inspection data, focusing on four critical dates. The study demonstrates OpenOil’s potential for accurately simulating oil dispersion dynamics in semi-enclosed marine environments and highlights the significance of environmental forcing, vertical mixing, and shoreline interactions in determining oil fate. It concludes with recommendations for improving real-time response strategies in similar spill scenarios. Full article

The removal of iron deposits on shipwreck surfaces by mechanical cleaning is labour-intensive work. This study develops an in situ gel and peeling cleaning method, utilising a carboxymethyl chitosan/tannic acid (CMCS/TA) colloidal solution spray on the surface of ferruginous deposits, promoting their removal by adhesion, chelation, and electrostatic bonding processes. The investigation confirmed that the CMTA-2 sample exhibited a sprayable viscosity of 263 mPa/s, the largest single removal thickness of 1.01 mm, a significant reduction in the fe/s atomic ratio by 2.53 units, and enhanced the deposit removal homogeneity. The field testing of the Nanhai I cultural relic showed a 14.37% reduction in iron concentration and a significant decrease in red colour (Δa* = 4.36). The synergistic mechanism involves TA chelating Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ions, while the CMCS gel network facilitates interfacial adhesion and mechanical peeling, hence promoting efficient and controllable cleaning. Full article