Application for an Excavation Licence

Before you apply for an Excavation Licence, please make sure you have read and understood the guidance on 'Accessing England's Protected Wreck Sites'.

If you need help with this application, please contact the Maritime Archaeology Team at English Heritage on 02392 856735, or email maritime@english-heritage.org.uk.

Anyone wishing to be a licensee for a historic wreck in English waters, which has been designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, should complete the appropriate form.

Please make sure to include a valid email address. You will receive confirmation of receipt of your application via email. The confirmation will include a copy of your submitted application details. Please inform us immediately, if any of the details are inaccurate or need to be amended. If we do not hear from you within five business days after sending you the confirmation of receipt, we will assume that your details are accurate and you agree to the Terms and Conditions (see Appendix I) of this application.

Your application, with English Heritage's recommendation, will be considered by the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites (ACHWS), who will then recommend to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether or not a licence should be granted. The Advisory Committee may also recommend that certain conditions are attached. You will be informed of the Secretary of State's decision within ten business days after the next ACHWS meeting.

Please note that the ACHWS meet three times a year, normally in March, July and December. Therefore your application can only be considered and, if approved, be issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) after one of the above mentioned meetings has taken place. The exact dates for the next ACHWS meeting can be found on our website, or alternatively email maritime@english-heritage.org.uk.

If your licence application requires a separate project proposal and/or project design as defined in the Terms and Conditions, please email this in form of a Microsoft Word 2002 document or pdf to maritime@english-heritage.org.uk. We will acknowledge receipt of this document by email within five working days.

Fields marked with an asterisk * are required fields.

Downloads

Printable version: Excavation Licence Application ( 409 Kb)

Appendix 1: Terms and Conditions ( 56 Kb)

1. The Site
Name of Designated Site *
Designation Order Details (if known)
2. Personal Details Of Applicant
Title
First Name *
Surname *
Address
Telephone
Email *
3. Names And Addresses Of Two Referees For Applicant
(It is not appropriate to include 'Named Divers' on your application as referees.)
Title of First Referee
Name of First Referee *
Address of First Referee
Telephone of First Referee
Email of First Referee *
Title of Second Referee
Name of Second Referee *
Address of Second Referee
Telephone of Second Referee
Email of Second Referee *
4. Applicant's Qualifications And Experience
(If the space provided is insufficient attach an additional sheet to the application.)
Diving Qualification and Year Obtained
Diving Experience
Archaeological Qualification
Archaeological Survey Experience incl. Position Held
Please Give Details Of Appropriate Training Course Attended Or Any You Intend To Participate In
5. Nominated Archaeologist (If Not The Applicant)
Please consult "Protected Historic Wreck Sites" Guidance Notes for Divers and Archaeologists (2007) on the role of Nominated Archaeologist. The publication is available as a PDF download.
Title
Name
Address
Telephone
Mobile
Email
6. Names And Addresses Of Two Referees For Nominated Archaeologist
(It is not appropriate to include 'Named Divers' on your application as referees.)
Title of First Referee
Name of First Referee
Address of First Referee
Telephone of First Referee
Email of First Referee *
Title of Second Referee
Name of Second Referee
Address of Second Referee
Telephone of Second Referee
Email of Second Referee *
7. Nominated Archaeologist's Qualifications And Experience
Diving Qualification and Year Obtained
Diving Experience
Archaeological Qualification
Archaeological Survey Experience incl. Position Held
Relevant Publications
8. Details Of Proposed Excavation
Details Of The Work Intended
Details Of The Proposed Method And Equipment To Be Used
Number of days and dates (if known) on which activities will take place on site during period of licence
Details of backing from academic institutions, museums, etc (to be confirmed in writing from body concerned)
9. Site Records And Their Future
A copy of the site excavation records should be deposited with the National Monuments Records Centre, Kemble Drive, Swindonas soon as possible after the completion of the monitoring work.
10. Proposed Publication
Please indicate any proposals for publication or publishing
Would you be prepared to allow your report on the season's work to be used as a source of information for an annual report by the Advisory Committee on current work on designated sites?
11. Safety Of Diving Operation
Please indicate which Code of Practice you will be following *	British Sub Aqua Club Sub Aqua Club Scottish Sub Aqua Club PADI NAUI The Code of Scientific Diving Practice (Underwater Association) Other (please enter details below)
12. Named Divers
Number Of Named Divers
Please list below the names of other divers and their qualifications and experience for this application.
Please provide details in the following format: Name (Qualifications);
Terms And Conditions
I confirm that I agree to the Terms and Conditions as set out in Appendix 1.
E-Signature Applicant/E-Signature *
Date *