The grim reality of potentially polluting legacy wrecks presents a multifaceted threat that extends far beyond the decaying hulks on the ocean floor. These wrecks serve as silent sentinels of a bygone era, leaking toxic substances that indiscriminately poison marine life and disrupt the intricate web of oceanic relationships. From the smallest plankton to the largest apex predators, no organism remains untouched by the effects of these pollution sources.

The toxicity seeping from these underwater time bombs endangers the delicate balance of biodiversity in our oceans. It also poses a profound threat to the safety of people and ocean infrastructure. It jeopardises the resilience and livelihoods of communities that depend on these marine ecosystems. Coastal communities, fishing industries, and tourism sectors all bear the brunt of this environmental degradation, facing economic and social consequences that will resonate for generations. What is more, polluting legacy wrecks pose a material risk to planned strategic investment in protection and restoration of ecosystems through financial mechanisms such as Blue Bonds (a subset of the green, social and sustainable bonds), and management tools such as MPAs.

There are substantial barriers that must be overcome in order to move away from the current reliance on emergency response interventions to a more strategic approach that delivers assurance of long-term safety and efficient use of resources. In terms of governance there is a lack of clarity regarding responsibility and liability. While many legacy wrecks have been located, many have yet to be found and particular challenges will be posed by those in deep water where remediation efforts become even more challenging. Regardless of location, historic preservation law and policy must be factored in. That may also call for sensitivity of grave sites and mitigation to avoid or minimise adverse impacts to cultural heritage. The heritage should be identified, considered in EIAs, and addressed in planning and management. A survey should be completed and mitigation considered before intrusive research and/or recovery. For PPWs that are also grave sites, a memorial service or a plaque may be appropriate. In addressing the duty to protect our heritage and the marine environment, it is understood that priority be given to a clean ocean particularly for those livelihoods so dependent upon it. If it is not safe for life, property, and the marine environment, it is not sustainable. A lack of widely accepted technical standards and protocols inhibits engineering intervention and strategic planning. In the absence of such standards, it is also harder to advocate for action to aggregate the necessary financial and multi-lateral agency support for change.

It is evident that a proactive and comprehensive approach is needed. It is essential for governments, industries, and environmental organisations to collaborate on strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks associated with polluting wrecks. Whether through the removal of hazardous materials, the implementation of protective measures, the development of sustainable restoration initiatives or creating a relief fund to support lost livelihoods, there is a collective responsibility to safeguard our oceans and the life they support.

Public awareness and engagement are also vital components of any successful solution. Communities that rely on marine resources must be informed and empowered to advocate for the preservation of their environment. Education campaigns, research efforts, international cooperation and policy development will be instrumental in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by polluting wrecks.

The urgency of addressing this impending crisis cannot be overstated. New resources are required—especially in the Global South—to boost resilience and manage risk. We believe that these resources, technical and financial, will only become available at the level required once there is a clear and widely accepted roadmap to better governance and optimised interventions. To this end, at the time of publication, Lloyd’s Register Foundation is supporting partner organisations to establish an evidence base, including this volume, that will underpin advocacy for strategic action. The Ocean Foundation and Waves Group will coordinate a series of international expert workshops to forge consensus on the change that we need. The IUCN and ICOMOS are also involved and will be instrumental in enhancing cooperation with the UN family of agencies in order to marshal support for new international regulations and protocols.

In the face of this ecological and socio-economic challenge, our responsibility is clear. By prioritising the protection of our oceans and the preservation of the myriad species that call it home, we can not only safeguard biodiversity but also ensure the safety and sustainability of livelihoods that depend on these precious marine resources. The time to act is now, for the sake of our planet, its inhabitants, and the generations to come.