Protection of Wrecks Act
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The Protection of Wrecks Act (1973) 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 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 will not 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 licencing 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 June 2006 there were 60 wreck sites protected under section 1 of the act.
Wrecks designated as dangerous
As of June 2006, only two wrecks have been designated as dangerous under section 2 of the act. These are the SS Richard Montgomery (designated in 1973), and the SS Catilian (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:
- The remains of the German High Seas Fleet at Gutter Sound in Scapa Flow
- The remains of eight historic fishing vessels in Aberlady Bay
- The Louisa, at Grangetown, Cardiff
Maritime sites other than wrecks, such as fish traps, may also be protected by scheduling.
See also
- Maritime archaeology
- Archaeology of shipwrecks
- Wreck diving
- List of shipwrecks of the UK
- Protection of Military Remains Act
References
- [Maritime and Coastguard website] information on protected wrecks
- [English Heritage website] information about the protection of wrecks and application for licences in England
- [Cadw website] information about the protection of wrecks and other maritime sites in Wales
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