SCUBAHUB
PHOTO: STEVE JONES
Wreck protection
BSAC in talks with Navy
BSAC HAS LIAISED WITH THE ROYAL Navy to help divers understand that proposed changes to the Protection of Military Remains Act aim to add greater protection to military wrecks to ensure our underwater heritage is preserved.
As part of a new Armed Forces Bill currently passing through Parliament, updates have been proposed to the Protection of Military Remains Act( PMRA) 1986.
At present, for military wrecks to be protected they need to be designated on the PMRA Schedule as either a Controlled Site or a Protected Place. This parliamentary procedure takes a long time and leaves wrecks vulnerable in the interim. Whilst most divers these days are respectful and recognise the‘ look, but don’ t take’ principle, there is still a minority that participate in the damaging and salvage of wrecks.
The proposed changes to the PMRA intends to remove this vulnerability by automatically applying protection. It will mean that all military wrecks not currently designated, including vessels that were in military service with or being used by the Armed Forces at the time of loss, will automatically be considered a Protected Place. This means that divers will still be able to visit these sites, but unauthorised salvage and entry into the enclosed interior of the vessel is prohibited. The proposed changes also intend to remove the 200-
Prepare to cast your vote
MEMBERS WILL SHORTLY BE ABLE TO vote in this year’ s BSAC Election, which will open on Friday, 1 May and run until the closing date of Wednesday, 10 June 2026 at 7pm.
This year’ s election sees the BSAC Vice- Chair( unopposed), Honorary Secretary( unopposed), and three Ordinary Council Member posts available. Details on each of the 2026 election candidates and their CVs are now available at bsac. com / meet
As with last year, BSAC is running a‘ Meet the 2026 Candidates’ evening on 22 April at 7pm. To be held via Microsoft Teams, the event will be hosted by BSAC Chair Andy
Shenstone and all members are invited to attend. To register your interest in attending the online event, please email election @ bsac. com with your name, membership number and email address.
How to vote
All BSAC members eligible to vote will be sent an email on May 1, which includes their online voting codes and links to the candidate CVs, which members should read before voting.
This email will come from Civica. If you do not receive an email from Civica, please contact us at membership @ bsac. com or call 0151 350 6201( office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm).
All voting in the BSAC Election 2026 will be online unless members specifically registered for a postal vote. Please email maryt @ bsac. com with your name and membership number by no later than 14 May to register for a postal vote.
Members who have already registered for a paper vote will receive their voting papers in the post.
BSAC AGM
The successful election candidates will take up their Council positions after the 72nd BSAC AGM on Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 7pm.
Once again, the 2026 AGM will be held online, and all members are invited to attend. Details on how to pre-register to participate in the online AGM will also be available on the BSAC Election 2026 website provided by Civica.
For more information on the BSAC AGM and to read the Notice of Meeting and related Special Resolution go to www. bsac. com / NoM2026
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