Alarm sounded for British shipwrecks

Hundreds of wrecks littering Britain's coastal waters are being needlessly lost to future generations, marine archaeologists have warned.

They say valuable historic ships are being lost to the shifting sands, fishing, pipelines and dredging, and that the piecemeal legislation designed to save the undersea heritage is failing.

Neglect seems to be the main problem, rather that uncontrolled salvage and souvenir hunting, although that too is an issue:

Under the 1973 Protection of Wrecks Act, divers need a Government licence for every visit to a designated site. Many divers complain that the rules are too restrictive.

Yet most wrecks are unprotected. Divers are supposed to report any artefacts brought to the surface, but in practice are free to remove and sell finds. . .

Most maritime archaeologists are backing the review, but many say the real issue is money. Chris Underwood, of the Nautical Archaeology Service, said: "We need better protection, but with resources to enforce it.

"And although shipwrecks are seen as being the most sexy, there are not the whole picture. Just as important are the harbours and the submerged landscapes."

As is, even the very most prominent wrecks are in a sorry state with little prospect for proper investigation. From the Telegraph.

Posted by David on March 28, 2004 10:32 PM