Scuba Diving

posted by EarlNetwal on Jan 11

Wreck Diving

Some diving organizations, such as PADI, separate wreck diving from other types of diving and offer special courses for it while other organizations like BSAC don’t make a distinction between wreck diving and other types of scuba diving.

Wreck diving is popular among scuba diving enthusiasts around the world. A sunken ship provides an artificial reef that becomes home to many species of marine life and it is usually large and has interesting parts and old machinery. Many times there is an interesting, intriguing or tragic history associated with wrecked ships and this is a strong attraction for scuba divers. Some scuba divers simply love the challenge of their skills associated with wreck diving.

There are many very well preserved wrecked ships in deep water. Deep water diving requires special skill and training and entering a wrecked vessel requires special equipment as well as special skills and training.

Since 1973, when the Protection of Wrecks Act was made into law, a license is required for divers to explore these sites because they are considered to have historical significance or because they are too dangerous.

The Protection of Military Remains Act was enacted in 1986. This law provides protection for sixteen ships that are considered grave sites. These sites may only be dived after obtaining a license and other military wreck sites that are dived must not be disturbed and artifacts must not be removed.

Another law that affects wreck diving was enacted in 1995. It is the Merchant Shipping Act and it states that cargo of a merchant ship is owned and anything recovered from it must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck. This is a British office and provides the legitimate owners of property to claim it and also provides for the finders to get a reward.