EdgeLab Deploys AUV to Survey Roman Shipwreck Off Italian Coast

EdgeLab has carried out an underwater survey of an ancient Roman shipwreck off Gallinara Island near Albenga, Italy, using its U_Tracker IV autonomous underwater vehicle. Conducted as part of the THETIDA Project in collaboration with Marina Diving Center, the campaign documented a wreck now largely buried beneath sand. The vehicle autonomously gathered optical and acoustic data on the archaeological remains and surrounding seabed, producing a dataset intended to support further study and inform future conservation strategies for the site.

 

The Survey Campaign

 

EdgeLab conducted the survey as part of a wider research initiative. The campaign was carried out under the THETIDA Project framework. The work took place at an archaeological site off Gallinara Island near Albenga. EdgeLab collaborated with Marina Diving Center, a project partner based in Albenga. This partnership combined technological capability with local diving expertise.

The campaign focused on documentation and survey of the underwater site. It involved recording the visible archaeological remains on the seabed. The work also captured data on the surrounding seabed environment. This documentation forms part of the project's broader research objectives. It contributes to a growing record of the underwater heritage site.

 

The Roman Shipwreck Site

 

The site preserves the remains of an ancient Roman shipwreck. Much of the wreck is now largely buried beneath layers of sand. Only a limited number of amphorae and ceramic fragments remain visible on the seabed. These surviving items offer a partial glimpse of the wreck's contents. The burial of most of the site presents challenges for documentation and study.

Many artefacts from the site have been recovered and preserved over the years. These recovered items are now exhibited at the Roman Naval Museum of Albenga. This museum provides a public setting for the wreck's historical significance. The combination of seabed remains and museum artefacts tells a fuller story. Documenting the remaining underwater elements complements the preserved collection.

 

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The Autonomous Survey Technology

 

The survey relied on EdgeLab's autonomous underwater vehicle. The company deployed its U_Tracker IV vehicle for the mission. The vehicle was equipped with a high-definition optical camera. It also carried a Side-Scan Sonar system for acoustic imaging. This combination allowed the vehicle to gather two complementary types of data.

The vehicle operated autonomously throughout the survey. It collected both optical and acoustic data during the mission. These datasets provide complementary views of the site and its surroundings. The optical camera captures visible detail while the sonar maps the seabed. Together they build a more complete picture than either could alone.

 

A Second Underwater Landmark

 

The campaign extended beyond the shipwreck to a nearby underwater feature. EdgeLab also inspected the Cristo Redentore underwater statue. This survey used the same U_Tracker IV vehicle during the campaign. The bronze statue sits in the bay of Punta Falconara at a depth of around 20 metres. It was installed on 29 September 1998 and has become an iconic underwater landmark.

Surveying the statue demonstrated the vehicle's versatility across tasks. The same optical and acoustic capabilities applied to documenting the statue. This allowed the team to gather data on another significant underwater site. Inspecting both features in one campaign made efficient use of the deployment. It also broadened the range of heritage documented during the mission.

 

Value for Research and Conservation

 

The resulting data will support ongoing study of the site. The dataset will inform further research into the shipwreck. It provides a detailed record of the wreck's current condition. This documentation is valuable given the wreck's burial beneath the sand. It captures the state of the visible remains at a specific point in time.

The survey also carries implications for the site's long-term preservation. The dataset will inform future conservation strategies for the site. Monitoring underwater heritage helps guide efforts to protect it. EdgeLab framed the work as advancing autonomous technologies for underwater documentation. This supports both scientific research and the preservation of underwater cultural heritage.