Wreck legislation

[jptaylor9]

At the Plymouth wreck conference at the weekend leaflets were circulated concerning two Governmental review groups that are currently looking at wreck legislation. These groups have been formed by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. One group is looking at salvage law, the other at wreck designation and protection.
Among the propsals being considered it is aleged that the following are on the table;
1 All wrecks over 50 years old to be designated as historic wrecks and protected as such.
2 Mandatory that divers report all items or wrecks they find to the government
3 Salvage awards to be abolished
4 A massive extension of the number of Designated sites and protected wrecks under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 to include any wreck that involved any loss of life, whether military or merchant seaman.
The leaflet also stated that the DCM&S will not allow any representation on these working groups from the Diving organisations.
Has anyone heard anything about this?
Cheers
Mike

Time to take up golf?
JT

[Scuttler]

I'd heard vague whisperings of an attempt to protect all wrecks in much the same way as the War Graves are but wasn't aware of the specifics. From what you have just posted seems to me that there seems to be a concerted effort by the government in every facet of our lives to turn us into criminals!
No representation from dive groups!
Last time I looked this nation was still a democracy. How can legislation be pushed through when parties with a vested interest are excluded from discussions! Funkin Barstewards :

[DecoWarrior]

well ithink the laack of representation is disgusting adn i think the whole situation stinks of hypocracy as the government has sold most of the designated war graves for salvage by professional companies how are they going to enforce a law on a virgin wreck that has not been identified how can they prove that it was under 50 years it will just lead to a more underground culture and personally i have not met any one who has received compensation of the row for an item recovered

[resting rifleman]

Time to take up golf?
JT

or anarchy!
perhaps the next bit of "cant do without" kit will be a fishing line/rod (mr nakers, are you gonna be flogging shiney ones?) as camoflage.:bandit:

[jptaylor9]

http://www.faxyourmp.com/index.php3

[The Doctor]

W

[DecoWarrior]

one fax sent to mp see if i get a respnse hes been pretty good in this resect in the past

if that was the case that the ban came in that would be the final straw for me as i love diving wrecks especially the older ones so i would just form a stealth group of divers and sneak dive stuff to be honest how can they porve its over fifty years old if they dont know what it is!

[resting rifleman]

I dont see how it would be possible to enforce regulations as draconian as these!
there's an awful LOT of rusty metal bits out there.

[Adrian Kelland]

I dont see how it would be possible to enforce regulations as draconian as these!
there's an awful LOT of rusty metal bits out there.

And an awful amount of retired people with the time to look. Coastwatch keep an eye on the Salcombe gold wreck - although thay have also been known to wrongly accuse clubs diving near it.

Adrian

[Frankie Price]

If it was not for the efforts of recreational divers, the government would not know the locations of many of the wrecks.
Trouble is the old "We know what is best for everyone" crowd is taking over.
Bet most of them are non divers.