REMARCO Brings Underwater Munitions into Public Focus – Successful Event at the German Maritime Museum
On 24 November, the German Maritime Museum (DSM) / Leibniz Institute for Maritime History in Bremerhaven hosted a well-attended public event dedicated to the international research project REMARCO. The auditorium was filled to capacity, with many interested visitors from science, politics, media, and the wider public eager to learn more about the dangers posed by dumped wartime munitions in the North Sea and Baltic Sea — and about possible pathways towards safe remediation.
Insights, expertise, and lively discussions
The evening opened with excerpts from the documentary “Baltic UXO”, presented by filmmaker Agnė Dovydaitytė and her team. They offered behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the film and shared experiences from their work on these “ticking time bombs” on the seafloor.
This was followed by a presentation from Wolfgang Sichermann on the German Federal Government’s emergency programme for the recovery of underwater munitions in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. The clearance company SeaTerra then provided a technical perspective on what can be learned from remediation efforts in the Baltic Sea — and how these experiences can inform future operations in the North Sea.
An engaged audience contributed to an evening of thoughtful and constructive discussions. It became clear that REMARCO is not only gaining visibility within the scientific community but is also resonating strongly with the general public — an important milestone for a topic of growing ecological urgency.
A convivial conclusion
The event concluded with a small reception and a guided tour of the museum, offering guests the opportunity to continue conversations and explore the historical context of underwater munitions within the DSM’s exhibitions.
The evening was very well received, drawing strong positive feedback from attendees and underscoring the growing public interest in addressing the legacy of underwater munitions.
Cover: © Romina Schuster, AWI 2025. All rights reserved.
© Romina Schuster, AWI 2025. All rights reserved