Call for papers - Potentially hazardous wrecks and underwater cultural heritage

Posted: Tuesday 30th July 2024

Call for papers - Potentially hazardous wrecks and underwater cultural heritage

Date: 7-8 October 2024

Venue: Estonian Maritime Musuem

Environmentally hazardous wrecks have been around for more than a hundred years – be it the fuel, dangerous cargo, or ghost nets. Until recently the focus has mainly been on the environmental aspect. However, more and more of these wrecks have been designated as underwater cultural heritage. Cleaning up these environmentally dangerous wrecks is almost always an invasive activity. So, how to do it in a such a way that the heritage will stay as intact as possible? Or at what point does the environment take precedence over the survival of cultural heritage?

In addition to hydrocarbons, we concentrate also on other threats to the environment and underwater cultural environment like ghostnets, bottom trawling and more. It will give a unique opportunity for the participants to discuss different approaches for environmentally hazardous underwater cultural heritage management, case studies, and best practices from all around the world.

The conference “Potentially hazardous wrecks and underwater cultural heritage - how to keep our seas clean and heritage safe?" will take place on 7th - 8th October 2024 in Estonian Maritime Museum’s Seaplane Harbour, Tallinn, Estonia. The main theme of the conference is how to manage PPWs that are at the same time underwater cultural heritage (UCH). How to mitigate risks with minimal damage to UCH? In addition to hydrocarbons, we look also at other potential threats like ghostnets, bottom trawling etc.

The call for papers is open until 1st September and topics include:

  • Environment vs UCH - when do the scales tip? 
  • Case studies 
  • New approaches in hazardous UCH management
  • Best practices in cleaning up UCH
  • Other topics on this subject are also welcome

You are very welcome to submit your paper or participate as a listener. The conference is free for all participants! 

Register here: Registration to Conference – Meremuuseum : Meremuuseum