If you own or manage the area that encompasses a designated wreck site, or sites, or if you are doing works that may affect those areas, you should take steps to ensure that projects do not have a detrimental impact on the sites.
Site management should include early discussion with developers, Government Departments and regulators.
Ownership of the seabed
The seabed around England is normally owned by the Crown Estate, but it may also be administered by the National Trust or other land-owning bodies.
As a general rule, The Crown Estate encourages legitimate use of the foreshore and this would probably extend to the sea bed. It is possible that survey projects may require Crown Estate consent. This is generally a formality but is important from a management perspective so that all stakeholders are aware of activities on the seabed.
Obtaining consent
Any intrusive investigations or the fixing of equipment to seabed will usually require Crown Estate consent in addition to consent from other regulatory bodies.
In addition, some sites are located in areas where navigational and administrative responsibility lies with a Harbour Authority. Such areas are clearly marked on Navigational Charts and local bylaws may be in force to ensure navigational safety.
The UK Government has adopted the Annex to the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage as best practice for archaeology. This Annex comprises a series of ethical rules concerning activities directed at underwater cultural heritage which provide objective standards by which to judge the appropriateness of actions in respect of archaeology underwater.
All individuals licensed to access a Protected Wreck Site must have due regard to the general principles of the Annex to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001.
