English Heritage is appealing for divers to help conserve some of country's most important historic wrecks, following a mass underwater survey of 'at risk' sites.
The Iona ll off Lundy Island
Maritime archaeologists at English Heritage said ten out of the country's 45 protected wrecks are at risk of loss through neglect, decay and vandalism.
The wreck sites marked out include the Salcombe Cannon site off Devon, which English Heritage said was severely damaged and vandalised by an unauthorised fishing vessel last year. Others include the 54-gun warship Hazardous in Bracklesham Bay, West Sussex; the 1965 90-gun warship Coronation at Penlee Point, Cornwall; and the Iona II wreck off Lundy, north Devon.
It is the first time wrecks - along with scheduled monuments, battlefields and registered parks - have been assessed in the same way as historic buildings. English Heritage maritime archaeologist Mark Dunkley said England is now the only country in Europe to have comprehensive knowledge of the state of protected heritage.
Measures are already being taken to help conserve underwater sites, such as a protected wreck marker being fixed to the Salcombe site. However, Dunkley said financial pressure means volunteer help from divers is invaluable to preserving historically important underwater sites.
'We would ask divers to get involved with surveys by taking archaeological training and sharing information for the benefit of everybody,' Dunkley told DIVE. 'Anyone can apply to access a private wreck site. Diving is not prohibited, it's restricted. The Heritage at Risk (HAR) register will enable us to prioritise the protected wreck sites which are most at risk. We want to reduce each year the number of protected historic wrecks on the HAR register to ensure their value and significance is maintained for future generations.'
