Shipwreck Legislation Overview
The Historic Wrecks Act 2001 set pioneering new standards for the protection of Bermuda's Underwater Heritage. It provides blanket protection for all shipwrecks in Bermuda’s territorial waters, making it illegal to interfere with or remove anything from a Shipwreck or Marine Heritage Site without a license.
It provides clear guidelines for the granting of licenses for the exploration and excavation of shipwrecks to ensure that the most current archaeological standards are applied.
The Act also called for the Establishment of a National Collection.
In 2003 Dr. Philippe Rouja was hired as the Custodian of Historic Wrecks and The Historic Wrecks Authority was formed to oversee the implementation and management of the new Act.
For more details into the development of Bermuda's shipwreck legislation please read Dr. Rouja's overview of Bermuda's shipwreck legislation, entitled
