Država pogodbenica, ki je zasegla podvodno kulturno dediščino, zagotovi, da se s podvodno kulturno dediščino ravna v javno korist ob upoštevanju potrebe po konservaciji in raziskavah, potrebe po združenju razpršenih zbirk, potrebe po dostopnosti za javnost, razstavljanju in izobraževanju ter ob upoštevanju interesa katere koli države s preverljivo povezanostjo, zlasti kulturno, zgodovinsko ali arheološko, z zadevno podvodno kulturno dediščino.
A State Party which has seized underwater cultural heritage shall ensure that its disposition be for the public benefit, taking into account the need for conservation and research; the need for reassembly of a dispersed collection; the need for public access, exhibition and education; and the interests of any State with a verifiable link, especially a cultural, historical or archaeological link, in respect of the underwater cultural heritage concerned.