Perspective on wrecks as war graves

All war ships and military aircraft from WWI and WWII remain government property of the states of origin, even if they sank or crashed in foreign waters, unless otherwise agreed upon between the different states after the wars. Many of these wrecks are war graves because often hundreds of soldiers and/or sailors died and went down with the ships or aircraft when they sank.

These human aspects, together with the fact that some of these ships and aircraft types became very rare and/or played an important role in major historical events, are crucial in the designation of wrecks as underwater cultural heritage and their legal protection.

On the other hand, these wrecks sometimes still contain ammunitions, oil or other hazardous substances, or form a hazardous obstacle in the shipping lane or construction zones for windmill farms. In these cases, significant diplomatic questions can arise.

Shall we avoid, protect, monitor or try to control this damage or shall we remove and salvage the wreck? Can we balance in-situ protection of a dangerous “polluting” war grave and preserve it as important underwater cultural heritage or do we protect the environment through salvaging operations and commit grave desecration? Who has to pay the bill, the “owner” of the wreck or state of origin or the state in which waters the wreck is lying?