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Advice and Information

A great resource that you might want to look at for underwater archaeology techniques has been created by NAS Tutor, Peter Holt from 3H Consulting.

Check out their techniques guide here.

Understanding the law

This page includes information on the UNESCO Convention, Marine and Coastal Access Act , Merchant Shipping Act, Protection of Military Remains Act, as well as role of the UK Marine Antiquities Scheme. 

 

This page is to act as guidance for the laws that apply in the UK and around the world

It is also worth referring to the NAS Statement of Principles, which outlines the policy of the Rules of the Annex to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001 – particularly useful when determining applications for licences, consents etc.

 

UNESCO Convention on The Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001


Visit the UNESCO website

Although the United Kingdom has not ratified the Convention, it has adopted Rules of the Annex to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage 2001.

UNESCO has also adopted a “Code of Ethics for Diving on Submerged Archaeological Sites”

 

Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 - Marine licensing

Marine Licensing Exempted Activities 2016 - related to diver trails on Protected Wrecks

Marine Conservation Zones


Historic Environment Projects and Activities within Marine Conservation Zones - Historic England report 2017

More information on MCZs from Defra

 

Marine Antiquities Scheme

 

Further information on UK Statutory Legislation:

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