Applying for Licences

Anyone can apply for a licence to dive on Designated Wreck Sites. For sites in English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish waters, forms can be obtained from English Heritage, Cadw, Historic Scotland and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency respectively.

Anyone wishing to dive on a historic wreck in English waters, which has been designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, should complete the appropriate form (from the list in the menu on the left-hand side of this page) and submit it to:

Monika Lowerre
Administrative Assistant
English Heritage
Fort Cumberland
Fort Cumberland Road
Eastney
Southsea
Hampshire P04 9LD
Tel: 023 9285 6735
Fax: 023 9285 6701

It will then be considered by the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites, who will then recommend to the Secretary of State whether or not a licence should be granted. The Advisory Committee may also recommend that certain conditions are attached.

The Department attaches great importance to appropriate training in archaeological techniques and would like to encourage applicants and their teams to attend the courses run by the Nautical Archaeology Society. Details of these are available from:

NAS Training Officer
Fort Cumberland
Fort Cumberland Road
Eastney
Southsea
Hampshire P04 9LD
Tel: 023 9281 8419

If you need help with this application please contact Mark Dunkley at English Heritage, telephone 023 9285 6768 or email maritime@english-heritage.org.uk.