Does the 2001 Convention protect the remains of warships?
The 2001 Convention protects also the wrecks of ancient State vessels and aircraft (which include warships) as cultural heritage against looting and destruction. It states in addition that: • The Convention does not modify existing international law concerning sovereign immunities or States’ rights regarding their State vessels (Article 2.8); • The Convention does not change or regulate ownership of wrecks and submerged ruins, including vessels subject to sovereign immunities; • If a wreck of a State vessel is found outside territorial waters the consent of the Flag State is also required before interventions are undertaken within the framework of the Convention; • The Convention stipulates that the Flag State should be informed if such a wreck is found within Territorial waters and other existing international law has of course to be respected.The only way for Flag States to save their heritage from pillaging and commercial exploitation, while preserving their ownership rights, is the
