A warning has been issued that massive legal changes could reshape wreck diving in UK waters.
The culprit is Clause 47 of the new Armed Forces Bill, which recently completed its second reading in the House of Commons. It proposes a major amendment to the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
For decades, the Protection of Military Remains has distinguished between two protection levels: Protected Places, which recreational divers may visit but must not disturb, and Controlled Sites, which are accessible only under a strict Ministry of Defense license.
Currently, military aircraft automatically receive Protected Place status, while naval vessels require a ministerial designation to gain either level of protection.
Today, under the existing regime, there are 93 Protected Places and 13 Controlled Sites, although that may be about to change. Under the proposed change, any vessel sunk while in military service would automatically be treated as a Protected Place.
The rule would apply not only to British-flagged ships but to any state’s warship lost in UK territorial waters.
The practical effect would be a blanket prohibition on physical disturbance, including removal of artifacts such as portholes or bells, and likely a strict ban on penetrating wrecks.
Commenting on the upcoming legislation, maritime law expert Professor Mike Williams, who issued the warning, stated:
“There are substantial changes in the pipeline, and no one wants a diver inadvertently getting a criminal record…I think these can be regarded as massive changes for UK wreck-diving.”
Describing the effect of the act on the diving community willams added:
“That means no physical disturbance and absolutely no collection of portholes, bells or any other souvenirs…If divers are caught it could mean a criminal record and the site being placed out of bounds to divers by designating it as a Controlled Site.”
