To help you get the most from your diving.
To help increase the knowledge about our past and our common heritage.
To enable you to contribute and to have a role in protecting and supporting all of our important and unique underwater heritage sites for the benefit of all.
To avoid inadvertently breaking the law.
To develop better diving experiences for you and others, for the present and the future.

Who are these Guidance Notes for?

Discoverers of, and visitors to, shipwrecks, aircraft, underwater structures and prehistoric submerged sites or other submerged archaeological remains.

Where does this Guidance apply?

These guidance notes specifically relate to English waters (meaning England’s Territorial Seabed to 12 nautical miles offshore).
However, the principles can be usefully applied anywhere in the UK, subject to local laws, regulations and codes of practice.

The Basics

Even if you are the first person to see a wreck, other archaeological site or any objects contained therein, this does not give you any ownership rights.
Recovering an object immediately is rarely the best course of action.
Leaving an object on the seabed does not necessarily mean it will be lost forever.

Submerged archaeological remains are often preserved within site sediment or a specific marine micro-environment. It is therefore important not to disturb objects or remove them from their context unnecessarily, as this may cause them to degrade rapidly.

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What is a Historic Wreck?

Little Gannick (Wheels Wreck) Little Gannick (Wheels Wreck) © Wessex Archaeology

‘Historic’ wrecks will have a high potential to tell us information about our common past.
Some ‘historic’ wrecks, especially if they are under threat, are protected by law as a Designated Wreck; and special regulations apply for divers and archaeologists.
Many historically interesting wrecks are not legally protected. They should be considered as non-renewable, fragile and finite resources which can provide unique information about our common maritime past.

An example of what might be considered to be a historic wreck would be any vessel or aircraft and its cargo or other associated material which has been on or under the seabed for more than 50 years ago. From fishing boats and yachts to warships and merchantmen, they can all tell us something about our past and common heritage.

What to do if you find an object or a wreck you think might be of historical importance?

Do not disturb the site or remove items from it.
Report discovery to your appropriate authorities (see below) and take advice on what to do next
Treat any remains with respect so that future generations can enjoy them too and benefit from your discovery.

Once a site or any associated remains have been discovered, and before anything is recovered, it is important to undertake a non-intrusive survey in order to find out as much as possible about the site. It is often by studying the relationships of artefacts that clues to the identity a site, or the circumstances of loss, may be reached.

For example – if there are cannons on the site are they in a row, pointing ‘outward’ position, or are they neatly stacked in a pile? If the latter, perhaps, they were being used as ballast rather than as armament. This can not only tell us about the type of ship but also teaches us to be wary of using cannons to date the site, since cannons being reused as ballast would be out of circulation and could be significantly older than the wreck itself. Studying the overall measurements of the site; the size of the timbers; the type of fastenings (copper/iron/wood); any markings (such as broad arrows, insignia); existence of any sheathing; type of fixtures; fittings and cargo; and construction techniques may all tell us about the type of ship in question and may assist in finding out what wreck it is and how it was lost.

For many older wrecks, there are no plans or drawings available, so all the physical information about the wreck is what is left on the seabed. Hasty, selective recoveries, could just lead to loss of information or misinterpretation. There will be times when targeted recovery of an item to assist in identifying the wreck will be necessary. However, this should only be done once an appropriate non-intrusive survey has been carried out.

Some wrecks may contain munitions and other explosives. Do not touch or disturb such items, as they are likely to still be live and could be dangerously unstable.

Many wrecks or aircraft are the last resting place of those who gave their lives while serving their country. Do not disturb any human remains. Respect them and report their discovery. All crashed military aircraft are automatically protected under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

All finds found in a waterlogged environment are subject to physical and chemical processes once they are raised and taken out of the water. Therefore, remember that anything removed from a waterlogged environment needs to be conserved. Unconserved remains will deteriorate and eventually be lost. Important archaeological information can be lost if part of the site is removed. Archaeological remains are finite and non-renewable so once these remains are lost, they are lost forever. It is therefore recommended that first aid conservation is undertaken as a matter of course. Conservators say that finds should be kept wet, cool and dark until more specific advice can be sought.

Marine archaeological sites can also be important habitats for marine life. So, try to avoid damaging this habitat.
It is therefore important to leave the site as you found it.

Record the discovery

Diver, Swash Channel Diver, Swash Channel © Wessex Archaeology

Make a note of the position (as accurately as you can)
Make a record of what is visible – a sketch plan, or some footage is ideal
Leave the site as you found it and report its discovery to the appropriate authority (see below)
Take advice on what to do next

Sketching a plan, and taking photos or video of the site will help to record details that may be significant to help to identify the site.
Recording the depth, using a marker buoy and taking photos of landmarks where possible, will contribute to locate the position of the site. If possible, use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or land bearings. This information will indicate whether this is a new site.

Why report the discovery?

To enable you to find out more about your discovery.
To let the right people know so that they can take the appropriate action.
To facilitate and promote appropriate research, access and involvement.
To be involved in further investigation.
To increase our common knowledge and shared understanding of the site and our past.
To allow legal protection and management if necessary.
To ensure that information is added to the National Monuments Record (NMR) of England.

The NMR is the central inventory of sites and monuments of England. Through the NMR we have the opportunity to make such information available to both the research community and the wider public.

Report the finds

All the recovered wreck material must by law be reported to the Receiver of Wreck (RoW) at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Sites within English territorial waters should also be reported to the NMR.

Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is a criminal offence not to report any recovered wreck material to the Receiver of Wreck at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
All wreck belongs to someone and the legitimate owner has the right to have the opportunity of having their property returned. The Receiver of Wreck will investigate ownership of the wreck items. The owner has one year in which to come forward and prove title to the property. Wreck recovered within UK waters, which remains unclaimed at the end of one year, becomes the property of the Crown and is disposed of by the Receiver of Wreck. Finders who report their finds in accordance with the legislation are entitled to a salvage award.

Individual finds are also very important. Groups of individually reported finds can point to unknown sites. Furthermore, they can tell us about the fishing, trade or industry of an area. So, individual finds can be as important as larger sites.

Protecting a Wreck Site

Anyone, including you as a discoverer, can apply to the Secretary of State for a wreck to be Designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.
Designations are decided by the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the process is managed by English Heritage.
The effect of a Designation is to control all activities at the site in order to safeguard the features of archaeological, historic and artistic importance and monitor and promote its investigation.

The Secretary of State is advised by English Heritage and the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites.

What happens once a wreck is Designated?

Once a site is Designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, it may only be visited, and items may only be recovered, if a licence for that purpose has been granted.
The four types of licence available are: visitor, survey, surface recovery, and excavation
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport is the organisation responsible for granting all licences.
English Heritage is responsible for processing the licences.

You can apply for a licence through the English Heritage maritime website. It is a legal requirement to have an appropriate licence to dive on a Designated wreck site.
Protected wrecks are indicated on Admiralty charts and in some cases marked by buoys, or notices on the shore nearby.

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Wrecked military aircraft and vessels

Military aircraft and vessels in UK waters - including those of other nations - may be designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, which is administered by the Ministry of Defence. Such remains may be designated either as controlled sites or protected places - military aircraft remains are automatically protected places.

To encourage the amateur divers to learn more and get more involved

If you would like to do more than visit wrecks and other marine archaeological sites for recreational purposes:

get the appropriate training
find out about archaeological projects

Investigating wrecks and underwater heritage sites helps you to find out more about our common heritage and fascinating past. It requires specific training in archaeological and diving skills and these skills can be developed. So, get some training, join volunteer projects and develop your skills. You can do this through, for example, the Nautical Archaeology Society or the Hampshire and Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology.

Need archaeological advice?

Contact English Heritage Maritime Archaeology Team

Related guidance and policy statement

National Heritage Act 2002
Our Portable Past: English Heritage Portable Antiquities Policy (English Heritage)
Taking to the Water (English Heritage)
Protection of Wrecks Act - Guidance for Divers and Archaeologists (English Heritage)
Guidance Notes Marine Aggregate Dredging and the Historic Environment (BMAPA)
Identifying Skill Needs in Maritime Archaeology (Institute of Field Archaeologists)
Military Aircraft Crash Sites (English Heritage)
Respect Our Wrecks (BSAC)
Protected Wreck Sites At Risk - A Management Handbook (English Heritage)
ADD Underwater Finds – Guidance for Divers (JNAPC)

Useful addresses

English Heritage Maritime Archaeology Team
Fort Cumberland, Fort Cumberland road
Eastney
Portsmouth
PO4 9LD
United Kingdom
Te. (+44) (0)23 92 856700/6735
Fax. (+44) (0)23 92 856701
E-mail: maritime@english-heritage.org.uk

National Monuments Record
Enquiry & Research Services
English Heritage
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2GZ
United Kingdom
Tel: (+44) (0)1793 414600
Fax: (+44) (0)1793 414606
Email: nmrinfo@english-heritage.org.uk

Receiver of Wreck
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO 15 1EG
United Kingdom
Tel. (+44) (0)2380 329 474
Fax (+44) (0)2380 329 477
E-mail: row@mcga.gov.uk

Department of Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5DH
United Kingdom
Tel. (+44) (0)20 7211 6200
E-mail: enquiries@culture.gov.uk

Ministry of Defence
CNS-Heritage1
Room 207
Victory Building
HMNB Portsmouth PO1 3LS
Tel. 023 92 720548
Fax 023 92 727358
Email: 2slcsheritage1@a.dii.mod.uk

Institute of Field Archaeologists
SHES
Whiteknights
University of Reading
PO Box 227
Reading
RG6 6AB
United Kingdom
Tel. (+44) (0)118 378 6446
E-mail: admin@archaeologists.net

Nautical Archaeology Society
Fort Cumberland, Fort Cumberland road
Eastney
Portsmouth
PO4 9LD
United Kingdom
Tel/Fax: +44(0)23 9281 8419
E-mail: nas@nasportsmouth.org.uk

PADI International Ltd.
Unit 7, St Phillips Central,
Albert road
St Phillips
Bristol
BS2 0PD
United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)117 300 7310
E-mail: general@padi.co.uk

British Sub-Aqua Club
Telford's Quay
Ellesmere Port
South Wirral
Cheshire
CH65 4FL
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)151 350 6200

The Sub-Aqua Association
Space Solutions
Business Centre
Sefton Lane
Maghull
Merseyside
L31 8BX
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)151 287 1001

Joint Nautical Archaeology Policy Committee
c/o Council for British Archaeology
St Mary’s House
66 Bootham
York
YO30 7BZ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1904 671417
Fax: +44 (0)1904 671384

Hampshire & Wight Trust for Maritime Archaeology
Room W1/95
National Oceanography Centre
Empress Dock
Southampton
SO14 3ZH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 3290 or 023 8023 7300
Mobile: +44 (0)7779 695707
Fax: +44 (0)23 8059 3052

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Draft Guidance Notes for Discoverers and Visitors to Our Underwater Heritage

Index

Draft Guidance Notes for Discoverers and Visitors Of Our Underwater Heritage

What is the purpose of these guidance notes?