Protection of Wrecks Act 1973

Wessex Archaeology has been awarded a three-year contract to monitor more than 50 shipwrecks around the coasts of Britain and Northern Ireland.

After a tender competition in spring 2003, Wessex was awarded the contract, to monitor 54 wrecks protected by the 1973 Protection of Wrecks Act.

Wessex Archaeology’s will carry out 20 weeks’ fieldwork each year, which involves one week’s work on each 10 to 15 wrecks designated under the Act and one-day assessments of up to 20 other wrecks that may warrant designation.

The wrecks range from cargoes of Middle Bronze Age metalwork (c1,500BC- 1,100BC), including axes, to the Resurgam, an early submarine built in AD1879. Under the Act, no one is allowed to dive onto or disturb the wrecks unless they have a licence. Many of the wrecks are being investigated by groups of amateur or professional divers who have a licence under the Act to visit and survey the site. Wessex Archaeology’ will monitor and supervise the work of these local groups.

Wessex Archaeology will help these groups maintain their high standard of work, liase between local groups and heritage bodies, and give out information on the wrecks.

The contract, one of the largest in marine archaeology, is managed overall by English Heritage on behalf of Historic Scotland, Cadw, the Environment and Heritage Service, Northern Ireland and English Heritage itself.

For more information about the contract and about Wessex Archaeology’s involvement please click the links to the right.