Operation Deep Blue Legacy began as a bold mission to reclaim two World War II shipwrecks from the grip of deadly ghost nets, combining historical preservation with environmental conservation. Captured in a compelling three-part documentary series released in 2024, this effort brought together Healthy Seas, Ghost Diving, and SDSS to clean these historical artifacts and revive the marine ecosystems thriving around them.
Building on the success and inspiration of this groundbreaking mission, Operation Deep Blue Legacy enters a new chapter in 2025 as a Healthy Seas initiative. This next phase aims to bring the story and its environmental message to schools and educational programs, transforming the operation’s legacy into an impactful pillar of public and youth education. By expanding its reach beyond the depths of the ocean, Healthy Seas ensures that the lessons of preservation and sustainability inspire the next generation to care for our shared history and planet.
The Three-Part Documentary Series
#1 Operation Deep Blue Legacy: The Legacy Begins
Introducing the mission, the team, and the challenge of removing ghost nets from historical shipwrecks.
Duration: 18 min.
#2 Legacy Unearthed: Echoes of the Deep
Diving deeper into the history of the Lupo and the Veloce shipwrecks, exploring the legacy of the Battle of the Convoys.
#3 Legacy Preserved: Guardians of the Blue
Highlighting the environmental impact of the mission and the importance of protecting biodiversity in the Gulf of Gabes.
PREMIERING 10th of October, 7 pm CET
Our Legacy, Our Future
We bring the story of this mission and its environmental message to schools and educational programs. By expanding its reach beyond the depths of the ocean, Healthy Seas ensures that the lessons of preservation and sustainability inspire the next generation to care for our shared future and planet.
Marine Conservation and Ghost Net Removal
Ghost nets are one of the deadliest forms of marine litter. Watch as we remove these nets and give marine life a chance to thrive again.
Historical Conservation and the Battle of the Convoys
Discover the stories of World War II shipwrecks, where battles were fought and lives were lost. These sunken ships hold historical significance, acting as war graves and historical monuments.
Shipwrecks as Artificial Reefs Protecting Biodiversity
Once cleared of ghost nets, shipwrecks become oases of biodiversity, providing habitats for marine species, helping to rebuild fragile ecosystems
The Importance of the Gulf of Gabes
A rare biodiversity hotspot in the Mediterranean, the Gulf of Gabes is home to endangered species and crucial marine ecosystems. Learn why it’s vital to protect this unique region
COMING SOON! COMING SOON! COMING SOON! COMING SOON! COMING SOON!
Educational Projects in Schools
In 2025, Operation Deep Blue Legacy embarks on an exciting new chapter as an initiative lead by the Healthy Seas education team. Building on the mission’s success, this phase will bring its story and environmental message into classrooms and educational programs. By transforming the operation’s legacy into an engaging resource for public and youth education, Healthy Seas aims to inspire the next generation to embrace preservation, sustainability, and the protection of our shared future and planet.
Stay tuned for updates on how this inspiring journey will shape the future!
The Graphic Novel
Inspired by the mission, the team of the Healthy Seas Foundation worked with an Italian graphic illustrator, Pastoraccia, on a graphic novel in the making to bring this story to life in a new medium.
There is an English and an Italian version available.
Meet the partners of the 2024 project
The Healthy Seas Foundation
Marine Conservation Foundation
Global Foundation dedicated to safeguarding the world's oceans and seas through three key pillars: cleanup, education, and prevention of marine litter. Our primary mission is to tackle the problem of marine debris, with a particular emphasis on fishing nets, to promote healthier aquatic ecosystems.
DWS
Asset Managers
DWS Group (DWS) aspires to be one of the world's leading asset managers. Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.
Ghost Diving
Diving Organization
Ghost Diving is a registered charity founded in 2012 by technical divers specialized in the removal of lost fishing gear and other marine debris. Ghost Diving is the largest and most experienced global diving organization specialized in the “ghost fishing” phenomenon.
SDSS
Submerged Sites Documentation
SDSS is an international no profit organization founded in 1999 and based in Italy. Their mission is the study, research, enhancement, dissemination and protection of the historical, cultural, biological and environmental submerged heritage.
Further content from the mission
Our Recorded Live Video from the Mission
Meet the team, hear how the mission is going and discover some of the behind the scenes of this operation in high seas.
Life on Board Short Video
We bring you behind the scenes of the operation and with the team in high seas to experience life on board.
