Navies and Underwater Cultural Heritage:

Military Legacies, Operational Practice and Shared Responsibility

Abstract

This article calls on navies worldwide to recognize underwater cultural heritage as both a military legacy and a shared global responsibility. Submerged shipwrecks, war graves, and military constructions reflect histories of conflict, geopolitics, and naval identity. Yet, they are often at risk from ongoing military operations, unexploded ordnance, and polluting wrecks. Naval activities, such as amphibious landings and coastal training, must account for these cultural and environmental sensitivities. Navies possess the tools, expertise, and reach to lead protection efforts while preserving their operational readiness. By integrating heritage protection into policies and training, engaging local and Indigenous communities, and acknowledging intangible values, navies can ensure these sites endure. Beyond preservation, underwater heritage offers strategic insights, enhances maritime domain awareness, and fosters naval diplomacy. Navies have a unique opportunity to safeguard these submerged archives for future generations, while learning from them in turn.