Everything about The Protection Of Wrecks Act 1973 totally explained
The
Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 (1973 c.33) is an
Act of Parliament in the
United Kingdom which provides protection for designated
wrecks. Section 1 of the act provides for wrecks to be designated because of historical, archaeological or artistic value. Section 2 provides for designation of dangerous sites. Wreck sites must have a known location in order to be designated. Designated wrecks are marked on
admiralty charts and their physical location is sometimes marked by means of a buoy (
sea mark). Information boards are often provided at nearby launch points on land.
Wrecks designated by virtue of historical, archaeological or artistic value
It is a criminal offence to interfere with a wreck designated under section 1 of the act without a licence. Navigation, angling and bathing are permitted provided this won't interfere with the wreck. A licence is required to dive the wreck site. Separate licences are required for any disturbance, such as recovery of
artifacts or Underwater
excavation. Anchoring on the wreck site is also not permitted except in accordance with licensed activities. The area designated may extend beyond the visible remains.
Designation and licensing under section 1 of the act is managed by
English Heritage,
Cadw and
Historic Scotland.
The first wreck to be designated was the
Cattewater Wreck at
Plymouth, in 1973. As of July 2007 there were 60 wreck sites under current protection under section 1 of the act. Two sites that had at some point been designated have subsequently been revoked.
» For a complete list see List of designations under the Protection of Wrecks Act.
Wrecks designated as dangerous
As of June 2006, only two wrecks are designated as dangerous under section 2 of the act. These are the
SS Richard Montgomery (designated in 1973), and the
SS Castilian (designated in 1997). Designation provides for an exclusion zone for all activities around the wreck. Diving is strictly prohibited on these dangerous wrecks. Designation and control under section 2 of the act is managed by the
Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Wrecks protected by other means
A number of wreck sites have been protected as maritime
scheduled ancient monuments. These are:
All wrecked aircraft and a number of designated military shipwrecks are protected under the
Protection of Military Remains Act.
Maritime sites other than wrecks, such as fish traps, may also be protected by scheduling.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Protection Of Wrecks Act 1973'.
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