The Implementation Service covers the elements of English Heritage’s role in the Protocol that are concerned with recording and passing on information about reported finds, and limited decision-making about reports that are clearly uncontentious.

The Implementation Service does not cover decision-making where a higher level of curatorial involvement is clearly required. These elements of the Protocol are serviced directly by English Heritage.

As a guide, the following types of reports are likely to be uncontentious:

• reports of single, apparently isolated, finds;

• reports that are not sufficiently-well positioned to result in implementation of a Temporary Exclusion Zone.

The following types of reports are expected to require the direct involvement of English Heritage:

• reports resulting in Temporary Exclusion Zones that are likely to warrant further investigation;

• reports resulting in Temporary Exclusion Zones that are likely to be formalised as Archaeological Exclusion Zones;

• reports of multiple finds from the same area;

• reports indicating the presence of a wreck or other structural remains;

• reports of peat.

The objectives of the implementation service are as follows:

• To provide an easy-to-use mechanism for reports to be made by Nominated Contacts.

• In uncontentious cases, to respond promptly to Nominated Contacts and provide advice on such further actions, if any, that are required. Details of uncontentious reports, and the advice given, will be passed promptly to English Heritage.

• In cases requiring a higher level of curatorial involvement, to quickly pass on details of the report to English Heritage and to provide such support as may be required to facilitate a prompt response to Nominated Contacts by English Heritage.

• To facilitate the provisions in the Protocol regarding liaison by English Heritage.

• To facilitate the transfer of details of the find, and subsequent data, to the National Monuments Record (NMR) and appropriate local Historic Environment Record(s) (HERs).

• To facilitate arrangements by Companies to hold recovered finds in their possession, including – in the case of finds that are wreck – agreement with the Receiver of Wreck.

• To provide initial advice on any additional work required to stabilise, conserve or record recovered finds.

• To provide initial advice on the implementation of procedures for resolving ownership and disposing of finds.

At the core of the Implementation Service is a web-based reporting system. Nominated Contacts have secure access to web pages on which they can record details of finds made by Company Staff, and from which they can receive advice. The system enables summary information about reported finds to be sent to English Heritage and BMAPA, and copied to the Receiver of Wreck, local government Archaeological Officers, Portable Antiquities Officers, and the Ministry of Defence, as relevant.