The Project Thalassa Wreck Heritage
Underwater photogrammetry project focused on Catalan shipwrecks
Objectives
Thalassa Wreck Heritage is a non-profit project created to preserve and highlight contemporary submerged heritage, a historically, culturally and economically significant legacy. Although some heritage is accessible on land, much of it remains underwater, hidden and vulnerable to degradation, erosion, human activity and looting. Documenting and protecting this heritage is essential to ensure its conservation for future generations.
This project also has a strong focus on outreach, accessibility and safety, allowing everyone, including those who cannot dive, to discover and enjoy submerged heritage through 3D digital models, immersive virtual reality visualizations and educational material. Recreational divers can also benefit from detailed records of the wrecks, improving safety during dives and minimizing risks associated with wreck diving.
The project was created to document, study and share submerged heritage using the most advanced digital tools. Through techniques such as photogrammetry and 3D scanning, we accurately capture the current state of shipwrecks, structures and underwater objects, creating high-resolution three-dimensional models that preserve these elements virtually and make them accessible to everyone.
These models are not only valuable tools for scientific research and heritage management, but also offer new opportunities for outreach, training and responsible tourism. They enable safer, better-informed dive planning, the study of degradation processes over time, and the recreation of underwater environments for educational and cultural use.
Our approach is open and collaborative: we believe science and technology should serve society. That is why we make 3D models and associated information freely accessible, encouraging participation from divers, research centers and interested citizens. Through this initiative, we aim to help preserve and enhance underwater heritage, making visible what usually remains hidden beneath the water and supporting its protection for future generations.