Protecting Shipwrecks
and Marine Heritage Sites
There are at least 150 found/known shipwrecks in Bermuda's waters. The total number is anyone’s guess. Estimates put it at at least 300 actual shipwreck sites, areas where ships came to rest, with perhaps as many sites that are evidence of ships in distress.
There has been a long-standing tradition of salvage and scuba diving for the collection of artefacts in Bermuda. Bermuda is in fact a nation built on salvage both as a black market and a Government sanctioned activity.
The protection and archaeological investigation of shipwrecks is one of the main tenants of the Historic Wrecks Act 2001 which specifically prohibits any collection of artefacts from shipwrecks and marine heritage sites without a license and imposes a fine of up to $25,000 for anyone caught contravening the Act.
There have been many responsible collectors in Bermuda and the 2001 Historic Wrecks Act provided an Amnesty from prosecution for contraventions of the previous wrecks and salvage act. In this way Bermuda’s rich private collections of artefacts could be catalogued and made available as part of a virtual database to the public for research and enjoyment. (Letter from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment 2004) .
Enforcement.
Inspectors have been appointed for the enforcement of the Historic Wrecks Act 2001.
These are:
- The Inspectors in the Bermuda Police force from Marine Police Section.
- The Fisheries Wardens in the Department of Environmental Protection and the Technical Officers in the Department of Conservation Services.
