UASUV 2017 Med Unmanned Vehicles Technology | Page 22

Address
Vice Admiral (HN) ret. Panagiotis RADITSAS,
President,
Hellenic Submariners Association
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen good evening,
I am Vice Admiral (retired) Panagiotis Raditsas HN, President of the Hellenic Submariners’ Association.
Our Association was established in 1981 in order to promote the heritage and the history of the
Hellenic Submarines.Is also an active member of the wider submariners’ community, the International
Submariners Association (ISA)
One of the aims of our association is to maintain the memory and honor timelessly those, who serving
onboard submarines during war time, gave their life for our country, faithful to their oath to protect
and serve its interests and freedom. Therefor our activities include the founding of memorial for every
Greek submarine lost in WWII where annually a memorial service is being given. So what brings us
here? The reason for attending this conference is triple. Firstly, because we are interested in every
under-water vehicle and its usage for either peace or war purposes. Secondly, because these vehicles
can detect in deep sea and easily identify old wrecks. Accurate detection and verification is a key
element to give a positive identity to any wreck. This is particularly important for warships, submarines
and aircrafts whose position is known from reports that followed the action. As technology advances
and either remote or unmanned under-water vehicles have proved their ability in search, detect, verify
position, film, and even in recovering of sea wrecks, we do see a great opportunity to utilize such
technology for the whole spectrum of military equipment rested in the deep seas, out of the reach of
the recreational or professional divers.
During the International Submariners’ Congress back in 2014, organized by our association and held
here in Athens, the long standing issue off war graves at sea, was discussed again. The heads of
delegations of all 21 participating countries arrived on an agreement and signed a memorandum which
highlights the need to protect all these wrecks, in order to initiate all legal actions in our countries and
to propose legislation, aimed to save and protect war graves around the world. This is something that
we owe to all those lost in deep waters serving onboard submarines but also ships and aircrafts. This is
because we all believe that these wrecks due to the remains of dead in them, have to be characterized
as war graves and have similar treatment with the war cemeteries on land. Thirdly, because Hellenic
seas have been since the start of the history theater of great conflicts and naval battles so great
heritage is still down there waiting.
Commander Panagiotis Tripontikas, will present tomorrow, the existing status of those wrecks in
Hellenic Seas and opportunities existing to bring back to light all of the great history, respecting all the
traditional and legal requirements applied for wrecks where fallen shipmates rest.
Our association is open to discus any opportunity with anybody who likes to come aboard on this dive
back to history
Thank you very much.