Precision ROV Captures 86,000 Images Of One Of The Deepest Shipwrecks In The Mediterranean

French authorities have carried out a detailed underwater mission to study one of the deepest shipwrecks ever recorded in their territorial waters, using advanced robotic technology to map and recover artifacts from a 16th-century vessel.

The operation, conducted between April 6 and 8, 2026, focused on the wreck known as Camarat 4, located off the coast of Ramatuelle in the Mediterranean Sea.

Resting at a depth of more than 2,500 metres, the site is considered the deepest archaeological wreck identified under French jurisdiction.

The mission was led by the French Navy in coordination with underwater archaeology teams from the Ministry of Culture.

It was carried out under the authority of the Mediterranean Maritime Prefect, with support from the chartered support and assistance vessel Jason.

Using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), teams completed a full photographic survey of the wreck and conducted targeted recovery of selected artifacts for conservation.

The ROV, deployed by CEPHISMER with scientific support from DRASSM, is capable of operating at depths of up to 4,000 metres.

The wreck was first discovered in March 2025 during a routine seabed survey. Archaeologists believe it is a merchant vessel that was likely sailing from northern Italy, carrying ceramics and metal cargo, before it sank.

Due to the extreme depth, human divers cannot access the site. The ROV, guided from the surface through a tethered system, takes nearly an hour to reach the seabed.

Operators rely on live video feeds to navigate the robot across the fragile wreck area.

During the latest mission, the system captured around 86,000 high-resolution images while moving carefully over scattered cargo and structural remains.

The robot is capable of recording up to eight images per second, allowing researchers to build detailed 3D models of the site for further study.

Operating at depths exceeding 1.5 miles exposes the equipment to pressures of nearly 150 atmospheres, along with near-freezing temperatures and low light conditions.

The ROV is designed with a reinforced structure and precise control systems to function reliably in such an environment.

Officials involved in the mission emphasized the importance of maintaining accuracy during operations. Even minor disturbances at such depths can stir up sediment, reduce visibility, and damage artifacts that have remained intact for centuries.

The robot’s manipulators are engineered to handle fragile objects with minimal force. During the mission, several ceramic jugs and plates were successfully recovered without damage.

Archaeologists noted that such items often break during recovery, highlighting the importance of controlled handling.

Visual data from the site revealed cannons, anchors, and large quantities of decorated ceramics, including pitchers and plates featuring floral patterns, crosses, and fish motifs. Some modern debris, including an aluminum can, was also observed on the seabed near the wreck.

Researchers believe the vessel may have been transporting glazed pottery from the Liguria region in northwest Italy, possibly loaded at ports such as Genoa or Savona.

The discovery is expected to provide valuable insight into Mediterranean trade routes during the 16th century, a period for which detailed historical records remain limited.

Experts involved in the study stated that the wreck offers a rare opportunity to combine archaeological findings with historical research. The data collected during the mission will undergo further analysis in the coming months.

Recovered artifacts are being examined and preserved at laboratories in Marseille. One of the ceramic finds has been described as among the deepest objects ever recovered from a shipwreck in France.

The Camarat 4 site surpasses previous depth records for French discoveries, including the wreck of the submarine La Minerve, which was located at around 1.4 miles below sea level in 2019.

Officials indicated that continued exploration of the site will depend on further missions using deep-sea robotics.

Reference: interestingengineering