Information & Codes - Wreck Diving

Wreck diving is one of the most popular types of diving world-wide, but it is particularly popular in the UK where a combination of wars, bad weather, and human error have left the coastline strewn with wrecks, particularly from the First and Second World Wars. Modern wrecks are exciting to explore, make great habitats for fish and other aquatic life and are generally superb subjects for underwater photography. They provide some of our best diving sites.

Each wreck is part of our maritime heritage, which can be fascinating to unravel, but may also carry potential hazards for the enthusiastic diver, as well as other considerations you may not have thought about. See some of our featured wreck dives City of Westminster - James E Layne - Pandora

Get extra training

The sea holds the remains of many tragedies, as the sinking of a vessel is often accompanied by the loss of life. Wrecks still claim lives – the lives of divers inadequately prepared for difficult dives. Exploring wrecks requires a very high level of experience and advanced skill training which is available from your diving organisation.

Take care

Wrecks may contain hazardous material, such as oil or munitions. Think of the danger into which you are putting yourself and others if you interfere with them or bring munitions ashore. Remember, it is a criminal offence to acquire or possess firearms or munitions without a licence, even if they appear to be old.

Observe and research

After safety, the greatest skill you can have is to be observant. Even experienced divers can miss important details about a wreck. Try to absorb every detail when you dive and note them down soon after you surface. You will learn more about the wreck each time you dive on it.

Preparation and planning for any dive is important, and so try to find out as much about the wreck as you can before you dive. Knowing the history of the vessel will help you appreciate the wreck. Research will help you to understand the lives of those on board and how they were part of the vessel during its life. Any newly discovered wrecks can be reported to the National Monuments Record Centre on 01793 4147000, those in Scottish waters to the National Monuments Record of Scotland (0131 6621456) and those in Welsh waters to the National Monuments Record of Wales (01970 621223). For navigational safety the UK Hydrographic Office (01823 337900) needs to be informed about any dangerous wrecks.

Respect our wrecks – they are not a renewable resource. Important archaeological evidence can be lost if an object is removed without first recording its correct position. If you think that an object or wreck may be of historical importance, then leave it where it lies, mark its position and seek advice.

Respect the site

Many wrecks of military vessels or aircraft are the last resting place of those who gave their lives whilst serving their country. It may be an offence to enter or interfere with a war grave. Imagine the distress that such acts cause the relatives and friends of those who died. It is the same as damaging or desecrating a churchyard. Similarly, many other sunken vessels may be graves of those lost at sea. Please respect them.

Leave the wreck as you find it

There are divers who see a wreck as an underwater supermarket. Resist the temptation to take home souvenirs. Anything removed needs to be conserved. Unconserved, such souvenirs almost always end up rotting in a garage or garden. Taking items means that there is often nothing of interest left for future generations to see.

Protect the environment

Wrecks are important habitats for marine life. Just as poor diving techniques on coral reefs can be destructive, the same is true for wreck sites. Avoid damaging the habitat by carelessly touching with hands, knees or fins. Use available fixed shotlines or, if you need to anchor, ensure that it is secured off the wreck. Leave the wreck as you found it.

Some divers are adopting particular wrecks for good reasons. Many divers undertake detailed structural surveys and historical research. Others study marine life and monitor changes of the wreck’s ecology.

Know the law

Don’t get caught out – know the law before you dive:

The Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 regulates diving and salvage on designated historical wrecks. You must obtain a licence to visit or undertake work, including survey, from the controlling authority. The Act also prohibits diving on certain wrecks that are dangerous to divers.

The Firearms Act 1968 prohibits possessing or acquiring munitions of all types without a licence.

The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 prohibits entering or tampering with wrecked military vessels and aircraft that are war graves.

The Merchant Shipping Act 1995 requires any item of wreck removed from the sea to be reported to the Receiver of Wreck.The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 applies to divers who remove items for commercial gain.

Report to the Receiver of Wreck

All wrecks already belong to someone. If you must bring something to the surface, you are required to report it to the Receiver of Wreck, so that its true owner may be found. You may be allowed to keep the object or you may be entitled a reward for restoring it to its owner. For further information telephone the Receiver of Wreck on 023 8032 9474.

When in doubt – look, don’t touch. Look after yourself and look after the environment. Respect our wrecks so that they may remain not only as history for today, but as history for tomorrow and continue to provide an important habitat for marine life.