What are the UK’ s Protected Wrecks, how are they protected and is there a legal way to dive them? Karen Moule of the Nautical Archaeology Society has the answers
MARINEHERITAGE
Gateways to protected wrecks
What are the UK’ s Protected Wrecks, how are they protected and is there a legal way to dive them? Karen Moule of the Nautical Archaeology Society has the answers
PHOTO: MIKE PITTS
Bronze gun 6 on the Kleine Hollandia
Underwater heritage offers an unparalleled window into the past. Recording our underwater heritage is vital for understanding human history and our relationship with the oceans. Shipwrecks, submerged structures and artefacts provide unique insights into past maritime practices, trade, warfare and even how societies adapted to environmental challenges.
Protecting our underwater heritage is also important to guard it from modern threats such as marine industrialisation, coastal and offshore development, and unauthorised human interference, ensuring future generations can study and enjoy it – after all, it’ s everyone’ s heritage.
Protected wrecks often spark curiosity, and sometimes confusion. The most important issue for divers is how we can legally dive on them.
Currently, 57 shipwrecks in England have legal protection. The legislation is not designed to prevent access, but to control it. This article discusses wrecks designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, so that a better understanding of the rules relating to protected wrecks means divers can enjoy an extraordinary underwater experience without breaking the law.
A protected wreck is the underwater remains of a vessel or part of a vessel located within the UK’ s territorial waters that has been officially designated as a site of national historical, artistic, or archaeological importance by the Secretary of State under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. This designation creates a restricted area around the wreck to prevent uncontrolled interference, damage, or disturbance by unregulated diving, marine development, or other activities.
Who can dive on Protected Wrecks?
Anyone can visit a protected wreck on a‘ look, don’ t touch’ basis, which can include photography, videography, visual monitoring, photographic survey and ecological survey.
As a visiting diver, you would need to contact Historic England to request a licence to dive the site.
More extensive activities on a protected wreck site, such as installation of survey measurement points, deposition of protective material and recovery of exposed material would require a detailed Project Design to explain what is proposed, and why. These proposals need to be discussed with a Nominated Archaeologist and Historic England so that appropriate guidance can be given for the scope of
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