Underwater Robots Explore France's Deepest Shipwreck, a 16th-Century Merchant Vessel

In 2025, the French Navy discovered a 16th-century merchant shipwreck, named Camarat 4, off the coast of Ramatuelle in southeastern France, resting at a depth of over 1.5 miles—the deepest known shipwreck in French territorial waters. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the only one in France capable of such depths, descended for an hour and captured 66,974 images over three days in April, creating a 3D model of the site. The clear waters revealed six cannons, two cauldrons, an anchor, and numerous ceramic plates and jugs, some bearing the Greek letters "IHS" for Jesus Christ. The ceramics are thought to have been made in Liguria, Italy, and the cannons were likely for cargo protection; the ship's destination remains unknown but was probably westward. The ROV's pincers, controlled from the surface, carefully recovered three pitchers and a plate—among the deepest objects ever retrieved from a French wreck. One pitcher features dark blue lines and yellow geometric designs. The site is preserved from looting due to its depth, offering a unique research opportunity, according to DRASSM. However, modern trash like beer cans and plastic bottles was also found. Lead archaeologist Marine Sadania noted that few historical records of 16th-century merchant ships survive, making the wreck a valuable time capsule for studying trade routes. The second-deepest wreck in French waters is La Minerve, a submarine that sank in 1968 at over 1.4 miles deep, discovered in 2019.