iBLUECULTURE: A NOVEL SYSTEM OF REAL-TIME UNDERWATER IMAGE TRANSMISSION IN A VIRTUAL REALITY ENVIRONMENT, AS A NEW MANAGERIAL APPROACH FOR UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE

Abstract. The Mediterranean is rich in ancient and modern shipwrecks and submerged sites of great archaeological, historical, and cultural value. Most of those sites tend to be relatively unknown, even to people living in the area, mostly due to the inherent limitation in physical approach. As a result, these sites are left unknown and unprotected. The aim of the iblueCulture project was to create a system that can make Underwater Cultural Heritage sites broadly accessible and raise public awareness on their location, content, and value. This approach is also meant to provide an effective management strategy for the constant, real-time monitoring and, therefore, protection of such sites, while in accordance with the sustainable tourism development goals for islands and coastal areas. This project, as implemented, can offer an immersive dry dive experience to the public, while providing management bodies and stakeholders with the capability of remotely monitoring the UCH sites in real-time, through live-streaming video. This ability can be vital in some cases, especially when involving sites in greater depths or in remote areas with little maritime traffic. The system is also expected to assist in underwater research, especially in deep water sites, and other educational activities or possible scientific research.