Thetida: a European project to save Mediterranean shipwrecks
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Accedi RegistratiA partnership between universities, divers and diving communities created to monitor, protect and promote our submerged archaeological heritage
A partnership between universities, divers and diving communities created to monitor, protect and promote our submerged archaeological heritage
As ambitious as it is useful, the Thetida project was created by the European Union. The object of this project is to develop cutting edge technology an innovative tools to preserve the archaeological heritage hidden in our seas. Officially presented in Italy at the Eudi Show in Bologna, the Thetida Project includes 16 institutes from 7 European countries: Greece, Cyprus, Holland, Portugal, France, Norway and Italy.
The institutes include universities, research institutes, underwater and diving associations. From Italy this includes the Geo-Sciences department of the University of Padova, Associazione Internazionale Subacquei Tecnici e Nitrox (Iantd), Marina Diving Ambrosi di Loano (SV), and EdgeLab, a Ligurian company specialised in underwater technology.
The aim of the project, as we mentioned, is mainly to protect our underwater heritage which is at risk because of climate change, pollution and inevitable erosion. But the Thetida project also aims to protect these site, investing both in underwater security and in promoting the incomparable beauty laying on the sea floors.
Diving in the Equa shipwreck
The Equa shipwreck
Trailblazer for the European project is the Equa shipwreck, which sank in 1944 off the coast of Riomaggiore, in the Cinque Terre Marine Park. The Equa was a patrol boat, originally used for the transport of goods, converted for use as a submarine chaser during WWII. It was tragically sunk by an Axis submarine, which mistook it for an Allied ship. This articles written for Daily Nautica shares its story.
Through the Thetida Project, the shipwreck was monitored in detail using underwater drones made available by EdgeLab, creating a spectacular 3-D model.
The active participation of the underwater community and many volunteers have allowed scientists from the University of Padova to identify two potentially dangerous stress factors for the preservation of the Equa: a rise of around 2°C in the temperature of the sea floor, most likely due to climate change, and an unusual updraft current transporting clouds of sediment and causing erosion of the wreck.
The turtle-shaped island
The next Italian objective of the Thetida Project is to monitor the archaeological heritage present on the seabed surround the island of Gallinara, in the Ligurian Sea, known, not just for its beauty, but for being shaped like a turtle. In particular, this includes the Albenga A, one of the biggest Roman transport vessels ever discovered. If any divers are interested in participating in the project, you can contact diving Ambrosi or Iantd.
Images are from the Thetida Project website and taken by underwater photographer, Marcello Di Francesco.
