Hybrid survey method for 3D digital recording and documentation of maritime heritage

Since 2003, the Barcelona Charter has highlighted the importance of digital recording of historic ships and maritime heritage in general. Although this has been stressed with particular emphasis, three-dimensional (3D) modelling of maritime cultural heritage is still not usual as for archaeology and architecture. 3D modelling in the maritime heritage needs particular requirements. Objects to be recorded range from small replicas in maritime museums up to full-scale vessels still in operation. High geometric accuracy, photorealism of final model and faithful rendering of salient details are usually needed, together with the classical requisites characterising the 3D modelling-from-reality process, i.e., automation, low cost, reliability and flexibility of the modelling technique. In this report, a hybrid multi-technique approach is proposed for maritime heritage preservation, and, as a case study, the 3D modelling of a 3-m-long-scale model of a historic warship, the Indomito, is presented. The survey is placed in a larger project aiming to realize the virtual maritime museum of Parthenope University of Naples, to make it available to the public and also to preserve its cultural heritage. Preliminary results are presented and discussed, highlighting relevant aspects that emerged during the experiment.