Treasure hunters beware: ship wreck rules are changing

Sunday 28 July 2019

Divers, ‘wreck-hunters’ and anyone else who might come across a ship wreck should take note of the extension to the Bailiwick's territorial seas, as local water laws are changing.

The area that constitutes 'local waters' will extend with the change to the seas, also moving to 12nautical-miles from the coast of Guernsey, Sark and Alderney.

The territorial seas were extended to 12nm from three this week. 

Therefore, while wrecks in the three to 12nm zone might previously have been considered to fall outside Bailiwick of Guernsey wreck law, they are now included within it.

It is a requirement to report any shipwreck or other items of wreck found within the limit to the Receiver of Wreck. Items of historic wreck, which means 50 years or older, must not be tampered with, moved nor removed without permission. Divers wishing to dive on historic wrecks within the new 12 nm-limit will need to apply for a licence to do so.

Existing search and rescue regional operational arrangements and existing pollution incident plans are unaffected by the expansion of the territorial seas.

Guernsey’s Receiver of Wreck, Adrian Lewis, said: "We want to be sure our diving community, who have always worked with us, are kept informed about how changes to our territorial waters affect them. It is important that everyone can continue to explore and enjoy our shoreline and marine environment responsibly and legally and that divers can continue to play a key role in helping us to learn about our maritime history."

Any divers or others with questions about how the change in territorial waters affects wrecks can contact Mr Lewis. 

Pictured top: a file image of a shipwreck.