Academic Director

Petersen-ii The devastation of World War II continues today. Over 9,000 vessels were sunk in all of the world’s oceans, creating many potential threats. Hazards include oil spills, chemical releases, unexploded ordnance, coral-reef degradation, and hazards to navigation. World War II wrecks are still considered sovereign property as well as war graves. At present, there is not an international treaty to manage the potential threats from these wrecks. A new treaty, the Wreck Removal Convention, will be signed by all maritime nations in May 2007; however, this treaty does not address World War II wrecks. This Capstone provides an Annex to the Wreck Removal Convention specifically for sovereign naval wrecks, most of which are from World War II. Petersen-iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract............................................................................................. i