MARINEHERITAGE
proposed activities and the appropriate licences agreed. More details for applying for licences can be found at https:// tinyurl. com / 5n8k4dzj
Once licence permission is obtained from Historic England, they would contact the Licensee for that protected wreck to inform of a request to visit the site. They will ask the Licensee if they are happy for the visiting divers to be put in touch with them. The diver and Licensee would then communicate and agree when a visit is possible, to ensure no other work is planned for the site on that date, and any specific actions that would need to be undertaken at the time. This may include stipulations such as sharing photos with the Licensee, reporting anything unusual and feedback on the site condition. The licence will include conditions to determine what visiting divers are allowed to do. It
Happy divers Karen Moule( the author, left) and Sara Hasan
is possible that the site Licensee may be required to be present.
For English waters, Historic England maintains a list of protected wrecks and their Licensees. Cadw does this for Wales and the Department for Environment Northern Ireland have the responsibility there. Scotland does not use the 1973 Act but has its own system. Wales: https:// tinyurl. com / bdec3x22 Northern Ireland: https:// tinyurl. com / ze9zvh6s Scotland: https:// tinyurl. com / 5at773uc
Diver trails and club visits
Some sites have physical diver trails to guide visiting divers whilst protecting the most sensitive areas, and many have virtual dive trails, allowing non-divers to explore and study these remarkable sites, as well as enable visiting divers to familiarise themselves with what they will see. Through underwater video, 3D photogrammetry, and interactive maps, anyone can appreciate the significance of these submerged time capsules from the comfort of their home.
The Nautical Archaeology Society( NAS) offers organised visits to some South Coast protected wrecks, taking the aggravation out of getting permission and arranging boats, plus pre-dive talks about the sites- https:// tinyurl. com / yc5dpwv6
Thanks to a grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation in 2025, the Nautical Archaeology Society( NAS) has been visiting dive clubs across the country, delivering talks and workshops on nautical archaeology. These sessions explain how professional and volunteer divers record and protect threatened underwater and coastal heritage for the benefit of everyone.
Don’ t break the law
It is a criminal offence to:
■ Intentionally or recklessly remove, alter or disturb marine historic assets
■ Carry out activities which could damage or interfere with a marine historic asset
■ Carry out activities which could have such a significant impact on the Historic MPA that its‘ preservation objectives’ are hindered
Guns 1 and 2 on the Kleine Hollandia
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PHOTO: CATHY DE LARA