IMarEST - Protecting Shipwrecks in English Waters

The Protection of Wrecks Act was brought into effect in order to prevent damage and destruction of historic shipwrecks as a result of indiscriminate salvage that was causing public outcry. There are currently 57 shipwrecks in England that are protected under Section 1 of the Act, ranging from as far back as the Bronze Age through to early 20th century vessels such as submarines and steam trawler.

The aim of designation is to capture is to capture a representative sample of our nationally important historical and archaeological resource. This is of particular importance as we look at wrecks from the later part of the 19th century and the early 20th century, a period of rapid technological change and innovation.

Historic England undertakes thematic projects to identify key survivals through desk based and archival research, before undertaking a programme of geophysical survey and diver-based fieldwork to record the condition of the wrecks on the seabed. Only those wrecks of demonstrable national importance are protected through legislation.

This talk will outline current project highlights and outline our approach to collaborative management of the wrecks with locally based avocational licensees, as well as highlighting recent initiatives to mitigate the threat of heritage crime at sea.