News and views from the world of marine heritage and conservation
Is this the world ’ s oldest wreck ?
Basking big off Ireland
‘ Metallic objects ’ around SS Richard Montgomery
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Protect Our Seas
News and views from the world of marine heritage and conservation
Is this the world ’ s oldest wreck ?
PHOTO : BLACK SEA MAP / EEF EXPEDITIONS
was of ancient Greek origin , and was used as a trading vessel . A similar vessel is depicted on the side of ancient Greek pottery such as the ‘ Siren Vase ’ in the British Museum . Potentially dating from 480 BC , the vase depicts Homer character Odysseus bound to the mast of his ship , under attack by the mythological , musical Sirens .
A team of researchers has found an ancient , intact wreck at the bottom of the Black Sea . The 22-metre long wreck was discovered 1.2 miles below the surface of the Black Sea , where it is believed to have lain untouched for more than 2,400 years .
It was discovered by a team of
researchers with the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project as a part of a threeyear-long mission to gather information about prehistoric sea level changes . The team credits the incredible condition of the ship to the anoxic waters of the Black Sea . They believe that the ship
Basking big off Ireland
Large numbers of basking sharks were sighted in waters off the south-west coast of Ireland in mid-May . “ We have seen 60 , 70 , and even 80 basking sharks in Courtmacsherry Bay ,” Mark Gannon of Courtmacsherry Sea Angling Centre and Atlantic Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours said . “ We thought it was great when we counted up to 55 basking sharks two years ago ,” Gannon says . “ There ’ s loads of plankton in the water and they are coming in quite close to feed .” The basking shark is a protected species in Irish waters . Last year , a team of researchers led by Trinity College Dublin scientists reported that basking sharks are as warm-bodied as great white sharks , in spite of having a more sedentary lifestyle .
PHOYO : MCA
‘ Metallic objects ’ around SS Richard Montgomery
A delayed timeline has been set for safety works on the SS Richard Montgomery after a new survey detected 18 ‘ metallic objects ’ around it . The Liberty ship beached along the Thames Estuary in 1944 , eventually sinking with 1,400 tonnes of explosive cargo still on board .
Recently , government efforts began to try and remove the masts in case they fell onto the cargo and detonated the dormant munitions . The aim now is to carry out the mast removal work within the next year . The surveyors said that it
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