Historic England has awarded a £29,000 grant to the Protected Wreck Association to support volunteer licensed divers.
The Protected Wreck Association, in partnership with MSDS Marine, has been awarded the grant from Historic England to support the licensed volunteer divers that are invaluable in helping to protect our nationally-important wreck sites.
Volunteer licensed divers play a huge part in helping Historic England to manage nationally-significant wreck sites. This project will benefit the Protected Wreck Association’s work in helping to protect and monitor the condition of England’s 53 Protected Wreck Sites.
A new website (www.ProtectedWrecks.org.uk) has also been launched. The aim is to encourage members to share knowledge and promote best practice.
This project will support the Protected Wreck Association and its members to help reduce the number of historic wreck sites that are at risk and help Historic England in the management of these sites that are protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, or scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
Professor Mike Williams, Chair of the Protected Wreck Association, said: “We are delighted and grateful that Historic England has funded this project. It will enable us to undertake valuable work to support our members, who are dedicated volunteers protecting our maritime heritage.”
Hefin Meara, Marine Archaeologist at Historic England, said: “We are pleased to support this important project and recognise the enormous contribution that licensed volunteer divers are making to help protect England’s fascinating marine historic environment.”
Visit the new website here: www.protectedwrecks.org.uk