Surfacing shipwrecks with 3D Printing

[Brian_Krassenstein]

Marine archaeologists at the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron are using photogrammetry to gather images to create digital models and 3D prints of the underwater wreckage sites within their territory. These ships lie in deep water and are accessible only to the most experienced of divers. Time and money never being sufficient for all the trips needed to study the vessels in person, this technique for capturing them in 3D has provided the ideal substitute. Read more about the efforts in Thunder Bay over at 3DPrint.com: http://3dprint.com/94883/3d-printing-shipwrecks/


Below is a look at the 3D rendering of the Defiance shipwreck:

[Wolfie]

This would even be good for shallow wrecks that recreational divers dive on. They could then plan their dives far better. I could also see this technology getting faster and better to the point it could be used during rescue situations.