Cite this as: Meara, H. 2020 Challenges Facing the State Management of Historic Shipwrecks in English Territorial Waters, Internet Archaeology 54. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.54.3
Funding challenges for maritime archaeology in the UK means that Historic England has to seek creative solutions to historic wreck management. This article details how historic shipwrecks in English territorial waters are protected, managed and conserved by Historic England, on behalf of the nation.
Public access to protected wreck sites by volunteers is a vital part of site management. Licensed volunteers act as custodians of the wrecks and carry out many hours of diving on site, undertaking survey, condition assessments and detailed excavation. The energy, enthusiasm and skills of volunteer licensees, who have dedicated countless hours and large amounts of resources to the study of the wrecks, ensure their protection in a sustainable way for future generations to enjoy.
Corresponding author: Hefin Meara
Maritime Archaeologist, National Listing and Marine Team, Policy and Evidence Group, Historic England, UK
Figure 1: Diver surveying a protected wreck. © CISMAS
Figure 2: Protected wreck sites in English waters © Historic England
Figure 3: Diver investigating a wreck site. © Wessex Archaeology
Figure 4: Protected wreck licensees © MSDS Marine
Figure 5: Diver on the Colossus dive trail. © CISMAS
Figure 6: Interpretation material for the Thorness Bay dive trail. © MSDS Marine
Figure 7: Rooswijk virtual dive trail © MSDS Marine
Figure 8: Diver recording the Colossus. © CISMAS
Figure 9: Excavation of the Colossus in 2012. © CISMAS
Figure 10: Lifting of the London gun carriage. © Historic England
Figure 11: The London Shipwreck exhibition. © Historic England
Figure 12: Diver on the wreck of the Arfon. © Bryan Jones
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