Wreck Protection - Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites

THE PROTECTION OF MILITARY REMAINS ACT 1986
DESIGNATION OF VESSELS AND CONTROLLED SITES) ORDER 2006

BSAC welcomes the above latest Statutory Instrument put before Parliament in September, and coming into effect on 1st November 2006. It is intended to minimise the disturbance of wrecks that are the last resting places of military personnel from various conflicts. These include wrecked ships of two world wars and the Falklands war. The designation of these wrecks does not remove access to most of the wrecks but recognises and encourages responsible behaviour by divers visiting these wrecks.

The two classifications adopted are:
Controlled Site, this means that access to these wrecks are controlled by the Ministry of Defence and may not be dived without a license from the MOD.

Protected Place means that access to the wreck is allowed on the understanding that divers look and do not touch, and do not disturb the site.

These designations make sure that what are effectively the 'war graves' of those who gave their lives are protected from interference that could upset relatives and friends, but will allow visiting divers to pay their respects, recognise what they are diving on, and help to preserve the vessel and her contents. However we must be quite clear that protection at Control level is essentially a ban on diving the wreck named.

Licenses to dive on Controlled sites are very rare. Control level is only used in exceptional circumstances, such as Royal Oak in Scapa Flow.

Full details of the Statutory Instrument can be viewed at www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20062616.htm.

BSAC will continue to support and promote responsible diver behaviour, and would encourage all divers to follow the 'Divers Code'

Jane Maddocks
BSAC NDC Underwater Heritage Advisor

Clare Peddie
BSAC National Diving Officer

More details can be found at vessel designation within the Wreck Section of this site.

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Page last modified: 15th Jan 2007 - 16:45:37